Moeen Ali is an ideal player for white-ball cricket, particularly suited for excelling as a match-winner in the shortest format. After being released by Royal Challengers Bangalore, he was quickly snapped up by Chennai Super Kings, and he has seamlessly adapted to his role within the team.
MS Dhoni has a preference for all-rounders who can bowl spin, and Moeen Ali is a perfect fit for this role. Although he showed glimpses of his abilities last year, he seems to have really found his form this season. With his extensive experience as a key member of England’s successful white-ball team, Moeen has the potential to be a valuable player for Chennai and possibly even the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in this year’s IPL.
Let us explore the factors that make Moeen Ali a potential MVP for CSK in IPL 2023:
Crucial in Chennai
In the first match of the season against Gujarat Titans, Moeen Ali did not bowl. However, when conditions in Chennai favored spin bowling, MS Dhoni handed him the ball and he immediately made an impact.
CSK boasts three highly skilled match-winning bowlers in the form of Mitchell Santner, Ravindra Jadeja, and Moeen Ali. Therefore, the pitches offered may soon start to turn, and the first high-scoring match may have been an outlier.
Moeen’s precision and aggressive approach towards attacking the stumps make him a strong contender. In his first game this season, he picked up four wickets and completely changed the complexion of the match with his off breaks. As the season progresses and conditions favor spinners more, Moeen has an excellent chance of standing out.
Plays Spin Really Well
Moeen Ali is often utilized by MS Dhoni in a higher batting position, and the left-hander has been thriving in this role with increased freedom. It takes him very little time to settle in and get going, which is another reason why he may emerge as the MVP this season.
With Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway setting up brisk starts for CSK, Moeen will likely have the opportunity to come in and keep up the pressure on the bowlers. This will be particularly true when he faces spinners on sluggish pitches. Fortunately, Moeen will not face the challenge of high-paced bouncers in the IPL, as he is known to struggle against them.
Perfect All-rounder
Moeen Ali is the ideal all-rounder who fits MS Dhoni’s preferred player profile. He will likely be included in all matches if he is available, ensuring that he always has the opportunity to make an impact on the game.
Moeen is typically entrusted with bowling his full quota of four overs and batting in the top order, enabling him to accumulate a high number of points. Additionally, he provides a valuable contribution with his slip fielding to the spinners, further enhancing his potential to make a difference in the game.
