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Faf du Plessis ( Image Credit: IPL/BCCI)
The 14th edition of the Indian Premier League will resume with a blockbuster clash between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on September 19 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium. CSK enjoyed a decent run in the first leg and won five of their seven games. They’ll be keen on starting well in the second leg as well but ahead of the all-important game, the MS Dhoni-led side has been dealt with two big blows. As per reports, Faf du Plessis and all-rounder Sam Curran are unlikely to feature in the match.
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Du Plessis, who was CSK’s highest run-getter with 320 runs in seven games and scored a magnificent 60 ball 120 against St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots, picked up a groin injury while playing for St. Lucia Kings in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). The CSK management though is confident that their ace batter will be available for the first match against MI.
"We are confident that Faf du Plessis will be ready to enter the field for the opening clash against the Mumbai Indians. Our team medical team will assess him once he lands in the UAE for the IPL 2021 and we think the week rest might have helped him recover a lot. Faf along with other CSK stars Dwayne Bravo and Imran Tahir, who are playing in the CPL 2021, will land here on Thursday (September 16)," said a Super Kings official.
Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir and Dwayne Bravo will land in the UAE on September 16. However, all the players will be exempted from the mandatory quarantine as they are coming directly from the CPL bio-bubble.
Also, all-rounder, Sam Curran is almost certain to miss the first game for CSK. The southpaw arrived in UAE on Wednesday and is currently serving quarantine, which will end on 20th September. As per BCCI's COVID-19 protocols, players coming in from the UK will have to serve six days in isolation and unless there is a change in COVID-19 regulations, which is unlikely, Curran won't be part of the CSK squad for their opening clash.
Coming to Mumbai Indians, the Rohit Sharma-led side picked up some momentum after a slow start to the season. They are currently placed fourth with four wins in seven games.