IPL 2021, Phase 2: CSK and Mumbai Indians ready to travel to UAE, awaits permission from UAE authorities
Xtra Time Web Desk: MS Dhoni led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians will be the first teams to travel to UAE. The yellow army is likely to head for UAE on Friday. The likes MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Ruturaj Gaikwad are already in Chennai now. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has already given permissions to the franchises to leave for UAE after August 10. But the problem is both the franchises are yet to obtain the landing permission of their aircrafts by UAE authorities.
The problem of landing clearance is due to India’s COVID-19 status in the UAE government. India is still on the list of prohibited countries but the BCCI has arranged special passage for franchises considering everyone is vaccinated. But despite arranging it, the franchises are still waiting for formal clearance from the UAE govt.
Chennai Super Kings have been one of the franchises who start their preparation well ahead of other franchises. This time it is no different as the franchise has organized for the players to travel so as is to give them ample time for practice in UAE. A number of players from the CSK franchise are retired while some of them are yet to play in the international arena. Thus, the practice sessions will help them to get well prepared. They had previously started training in Chennai for a month ahead of the IPL 2021.
The remaining 31 matches of IPL 2021 is scheduled to start from September 19 with Mumbai Indians taking on Chennai Super Kings. The final will be played on October 15.
