Chennai Super Kings are all prepped to face the defending champions Mumbai Indians at the Abu Dhabi on September 19. However, the franchise is still waiting for its players from England and Australia to join them yet.
England and Australia just finished with the white-ball series yesterday and now the players will be flying to the UAE. The players of both countries had requested the BCCI to shorten the quarantine period once they reach the UAE.
Now they will have to quarantine themselves for 36 hours before joining their respective teams.
CSK is awaiting the COVID-19 test reports of Sam Curran and Josh Hazlewood for taking a call on their availability for tournament opener on Friday.
CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan affirmed that if both the players test negative in their tests, only then they will play in the opening game. Curran and Hazlewood have already reached UAE and currently isolating themselves in team hotel.
“They come in tonight and will be in isolation till a test is conducted tomorrow. If they test negative, they can then be available for selection for the opening game in Abu Dhabi,” he said.
On the other hand, Mumbai Indians have no player who was a part the just concluded England vs Australia white-ball series. In contrast, CSK will be without their vital players Suresh Raina and Harbhajan Singh for the entire season.
The Indian Premier League will take place across Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Dubai between September 19-November 10.
