Ruturaj Gaikwad “fit” to play IPL 2022 opener against KKR, says CSK CEO: With just a couple of days left for the start of the biggest T20 extravaganza, the fans are filled with joy and thrill as their favourite T20 competition is all set to return to India. The Indian Premier League (IPL) season fifteen is slated to begin on March 26th.
Whilst there is excitement amongst fans, the franchises have been dealing with their issue regarding the availability of players. Just like any other franchise, CSK is also having its own share of hiccups which they need to figure out ahead of the IPL 2022 opener.
There were several concerns whether star opener batter Ruturaj Gaikwad would be able to play in the opening match of the Tata IPL 2022 or not. The cricketer suffered a wrist injury.
To update all the fans, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have confirmed that Ruturaj Gaikwad is fit to play in the tournament opener against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on March 26th in the Wankhede Stadium.
“Yes, Ruturaj is all fit. He has joined the squad and has begun practice. He is available for selection,” CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan told InsideSport.
Notably, Gaikwad would be paired alongside New Zealand batter Devon Conway to begin the CSK innings in the IPL 2022.
Moeen Ali Visa issue:
Besides the injury to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is also dealing with some other crises. The likes of Moeen Ali and Deepak Chahar are still uncertain about their selection in the team.
England all-rounder Moeen Ali is yet to receive his visa documents from the Indian High Commission in the UK. The cricketer had submitted all the paperwork to the Indian embassy in the UK on February 28th but is yet to receive an answer.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has approached the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to look into the matter now.
Though the cricketer will eventually get cleared to board a flight to India, his participation in the first match against KKR would still be under dark clouds. Following his arrival to India, the English all-rounder will undergo three days mandatory quarantine.
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“We have no update on Moeen Ali. He is still waiting for his visa and as soon as he gets that, he will board the flight. We are hopeful that he will be available for the first match but it will depend on his visa,” CSK CEO said.
Deepak Chahar hamstring injury:
To add more to the crisis, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are likely to miss the services of Deepak Chahar, at least, in the first few matches of the IPL 2022. Chahar, who became CSK’s most expensive player (INR 14 Crores) at the auction, is still recovering from his hamstring injury at the NCA.
“We don’t know about Deepak Chahar. He is at the NCA and recovering from the injury. Once the National Cricket Academy gives him the all-clear, only then he will be able to join the squad. But we don’t know when that will happen. We are yet to get any update from the NCA,” Kasi Viswanathan told.
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