IPL Governing Council forbids Chennai Super Kings (CSK) from reaching UAE early before August 20

MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings were expected to be the first team to travel to UAE to gear up for the much-awaited IPL 2020. With most teams expected to reach the UAE by August 20, CSK had shown interest to land in the Middle East country in the second week of August to start their preparations early.

However, the IPL Governing Council has not permitted the Yellow Army to reach UAE before August 20. A CSK source also revealed that their players will have to take a COVID test and land in Chennai before departing for UAE.

We had a word with the GC and have asked for further clarity: CSK source

“We had a word with the GC and have asked for further clarity. They have informed us that the SOP will take a couple of days more and it should be in by Thursday max. The meeting between the IPL GC and franchises is also being planned accordingly. We should have a full idea and all our doubts should be cleared by the end of the week,” the official said as quoted by The Times of India.

The official also clarified that the side didn’t intend to break any guidelines. Their aim was just to be one of the first franchises to land on the UAE soil. Earlier, many CSK players including MS Dhoni, Piyush Chawla and Suresh Raina had also participated in the training camp before the IPL got postponed indefinitely in March.

The CSK official gave an update on the COVID-19 tests of the players and also their visa processes, revealing that Dhoni and his troops will meet in Chennai before flying off to UAE. Apart from IPL 2020, all eyes will be on skipper Dhoni, who will mark his return to the field after a gap of more than a year. The veteran’s last appearance on the field was during India’s semi-final defeat against New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup.

“Dhoni and the boys will get their test done and assemble in Chennai and we will look to fly off within 48 hours. At present, the idea is to get the players in and fly off as soon as we have the go-ahead. We are waiting for all the clearance of the government and once that comes in, we will start the visa process,” the CSK official concluded.