Former CSK player Parthiv Patel closely followed the IPL 2021 season of the yellow army. After finishing seventh on the points table last year, CSK made a roaring comeback in IPL 2021, winning five out of their first seven games. Meanwhile, Parthiv believes that Moeen Ali was the game-changer for the team with both bat and ball. Before the postponement of the tournament, the England all-rounder amassed 206 runs at an average of 34.33 and an impressive strike rate of 157.25 in the six innings. Moeen also pocketed five crucial wickets and had a brilliant economy rate of 6.16.

Talking to Star Sports, Parthiv Patel spoke about the contribution of Moeen Ali in his team’s successful campaign before it was suspended due to COVID.

Moeen Ali Was The Game Changer For CSK: Parthiv Patel

“I think Moeen Ali was the main game-changer for CSK. He can open, he can bat at No.3, which he did really well. He carried on the momentum that Faf and Ruturaj gave. It was good to see him performing so well,” Parthiv told Star Sports.

Parthiv further credited skipper MS Dhoni for deciding the batting order wisely and promoting Moeen Ali at no. 3 in the line-up.

“Everyone thought Suresh Raina will bat at No.3 but it was Moeen Ali. He knew what changes he needed to do. Everyone was thinking that MS Dhoni will come and bat at No.4 or No.5. He took a backseat, he knew that there are guys who are batting well and they should get more number of overs,” said Patel.

Chennai Super Kings needed an off-spinner who can bat and Ali provided them with the perfect option. Having batted at several positions in his international career, Moeen gave the CSK the option to use him where they possibly can and it paid off. He played key cameos for them and picked up key wickets as well in their wins. The England all-rounder was roped in by CSK for seven crores in IPL 2021 player auction.

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