IPL 2022: Setback For Kolkata Knight Riders, Good News For Chennai Super Kings Fans

Even before the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), owned by Shah Rukh Khan, Juhi Chawla and her husband Jay Mehta, has suffered a major setback. On the other hand, fans of Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led and defending champions Chennai Super Kings can get great news in a day or two.

KKR mentor David Hussey told in a virtual press conference on 23 March 2022 that the team’s most dependent foreign players Pat Cummins and Aaron Finch have been ruled out of the first 5 matches of the tournament.

Both these cricketers are part of the Australian team in the series against Pakistan. KKR will start its campaign in IPL 2022 on 26 March. The opening match of the tournament is to be played between them and Chennai Super Kings.

The absence of Aaron Finch and Pat Cummins can be a big blow for KKR. Pat Cummins has played 37 matches in IPL so far and has taken 38 wickets. Also, he is known for low order hitting abilities, he has scored 316 runs at an average of 19.75 in the IPL. Aaron Finch has played 87 matches in the IPL and scored 2005 runs at an average of 25.70. His highest score is 88 not out.

The good news came from Chennai Super Kings team management. The long awaited arrival of Moin Ali has been confirmed. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) CEO Kasi Viswanathan said that Moeen Ali will not be part of the team in their opening match. However, he also said that a visa can be obtained in 1-2 days so he will be able to take part in onward matches.

Kasi Viswanathan told PTI, “It is certain that Moeen Ali will not be able to play in the first match. He hasn’t got a visa yet. We and the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) are trying. Hope the matter will be resolved in a day or two. It is disappointing that he has not been able to join the team till now.

The prescribed procedures are followed for players of Pakistan origin. This seems to be the reason (for the delay).” Moin’s grandfather had migrated to England from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, but Moin was born in England and he often visits India.

Kasi Viswanathan said that even if he reaches India on Thursday, he will still not be able to play in the first match due to the quarantine rules set for the IPL. He said, “ Moeen Ali will have to be in isolation for three days to enter the bio-secure environment of the IPL. In such a situation, even if he gets a visa on March 24, he will not be able to play in the first match.

Moeen played a key role in helping Chennai win their fourth IPL title. Perhaps that is why the team retained him along with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja and Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of the auction. Moin scored 357 runs in 15 matches and took six wickets in IPL 2021.