Moeen Ali hadn’t had half a good season with the bat this year than he did in Chennai Super Kings’ title win last season. Coming into the last league game, against Rajasthan Royals, the left-handed Englishman had scored only 151 runs at an average of 16 and strike rate of 125.
His underperformance with the bat has been one of the key reasons for CSK’s underperformance this season.
On Friday, though, as CSK lost Ruturaj Gaikwad in the first over to Trent Boult, not only did Moeen take up the responsibility to score – but did it style, and in his elegant aggression: not muscling the ball brutally, but using the gift of his timing and clarity in placing the ball to take CSK to a powerplay score of 75!
Well, 26 of those came in a single over. Rarely has Trent Boult, the new ball, powerplay specialist got a pasting as he did today by the southpaw. The last over of the powerplay, Boult to Moeen Ali, read: 6, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4.
Moeen Ali departs after a majestic 93.
What a knock that was from the @ChennaiIPL left-hander!
Obed McCoy takes his second wicket as @ParagRiyan takes his second catch.
Follow the match
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 20, 2022
Watching Ali strike everyone – from the high-quality pacers to the world-class spinners that RR have – was poetry in motion.
And to think Ali was 0* off 4 balls when CSK were 15/1 at the end of the third over. Then a scintillating flow of boundaries began from the bat of the Englishman. He clattered Prasidh Krishna 4, 4, 0, 6, 4, 0.
With two left-handers at the crease, predictably, RR skipper Sanju Samson brought on off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. It was thrilling, admirable, and applaudable, to see Ali then take apart Ashwin – a boundary toward deep extra cover, then a boundary over mid-on, and then a six over cover. Ali was toying with the champion off-spinner who has toyed with left-handers for fun in his career.
This followed the sensational hammering of Boult, in the over in which he notched up his fifty off 19 balls. Three overs of an incredible timing and placement exhibition from Moeen Ali saw RR rumble from 15/1 at the end of the third over to 75/1 at the end of the powerplay.
This had the fans in awe, needing to pick their fallen jaws back, and express their astonishment at Moeen Ali’s hitting.
Here are some of the best Twitter reactions to Moeen Ali’s amazing ball-striking display:
If CSK defeat RR by 149+ runs, RCB will overtake RR
Moeen Ali: pic.twitter.com/1STSwhnW0C
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) May 20, 2022
Well played, Moeen Ali – 93 runs from 57 balls, he got to a flying start in the powerplay for CSK. pic.twitter.com/qmSms8YCNM
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 20, 2022
Dear Moeen Ali.. He is Trent Boult not any uncapped player.. have some respect. Unbelievable hitting by the southpaw. #CSKvsRR #TATAIPL pic.twitter.com/jXdklOjZgj
— Amit Mishra (@MishiAmit) May 20, 2022
4,4,0,6,4,0,4,0,4,6,1,4,4,4,4 by Moeen Ali in the last 15 balls – 51* runs.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 20, 2022
Moeen Ali sent us on Mars, Jagadeeshan brought us back. #IPL
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) May 20, 2022
Where was this Moeen Ali, CSK missed this start badly?
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 20, 2022
Moeen Ali makes you think, yeah, why doesn’t everyone just hit Trent Boult for six boundaries in an over, why am I sitting here doing this when it’s that easy
— Barney Ronay (@barneyronay) May 20, 2022
Moeen Ali today : pic.twitter.com/HuVjH1pJel
— Dhoni Army TN
(@DhoniArmyTN) Moeen Ali did a Raina
— CSK Fans Army
Unreal carnage from Moeen Ali this. RR have no idea what hit them.
— Gurkirat Singh Gill (@gurkiratsgill) May 20, 2022
