IPL 2021: CSK vs DC Game Plan 1 – The Usage of English All-rounder Moeen Ali

The second match of the IPL 2021 tournament between the blockbuster teams, Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals could be all about match-ups. Here, we take a look at a key game plan that could play a role in the second game of IPL 2021 – CSK vs DC. CSK vs DC – Moeen Ali […]
 
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IPL 2021: CSK vs DC Game Plan 1 – The Usage of English All-rounder Moeen Ali

The second match of the IPL 2021 tournament between the blockbuster teams, Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals could be all about match-ups. Here, we take a look at a key game plan that could play a role in the second game of IPL 2021 – CSK vs DC.

CSK vs DC – Moeen Ali – The Bowler:

Chennai Super Kings were ready to pay hefty prices to acquire an off-spin bowling all-rounder in the 2021 IPL Auctions, as it was one facet of their squad that took a massive hit last year. Because both Harbhajan Singh withdrew, CSK direly missed an off-spinner for matchups against left-handed batsmen.

It showed in the season numbers as well. CSK spinners conceded boundaries to LHBs the most often and were the second most expensive against LHBs.IPL 2021: CSK vs DC Game Plan 1 – The Usage of English All-rounder Moeen Ali

The addition of Moeen Ali should help to an extent, but he won’t have it easy running into the Delhi Capitals team first up. Despite the possibility of three left-handers in DC’s top-five, namely Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant and Shimron Hetmyer (remains to be seen), they have great numbers versus off-spin in general even though it is a negative matchup for them. Furthermore, the match will be held on what is likely a batting-friendly surface at the Wankhede Stadium.

CSK can take a risk with Moeen Ali in the powerplay itself against DC openers, Shaw and Dhawan. In the last three seasons, Shaw strikes at just 7.2 RPO against off-spin bowling, his lowest against any bowling type, albeit with an average of 74. Meanwhile, Dhawan averages 26 and scores at 7.5 RPO against off-spin, with the slog-sweep being his release shot. Hence, it could be a gamble worth taking to bowl Moeen in the powerplay itself, given DC’s left-handers in the middle order are very good even against the ball turning away, while the players at the top tend not to take too many risks.

IPL 2021: CSK vs DC Game Plan 1 – The Usage of English All-rounder Moeen Ali

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CSK vs DC – Moeen Ali – The Batsman:

In the IPL, from an unfortunately small sample size, Moeen Ali has been majorly used as a spin-hitter during the middle overs. In the previous three seasons, no active batsman scores faster in overs 7-16 than Ali, among those who have faced 100 deliveries in the time span. He scores at 10.5 runs an over, while averaging 25.IPL 2021: CSK vs DC Game Plan 1 – The Usage of English All-rounder Moeen Ali

The best phase for CSK to use Moeen the batsman is clearly in the middle overs, to go after the spinners. Across leagues such as BPL, MSL, PSL, T20 Blast and of course IPL, he strikes at 175 in the middle compared to 140 in the Powerplay and 169 at the death. Considering the rate at which he scores, there’s bound to be some tradeoff in the consistency, but whatever the case his numbers in the middle overs are elite.

IPL 2021: CSK vs DC Game Plan 1 – The Usage of English All-rounder Moeen AliHowever, Moeen will have to be wary of off-spin, he has been dismissed twice by off-spin in just 24 balls in his short IPL career, and DC have arguably the most in-form off-spinner in the form of Ravichandran Ashwin. It’s important here that Ali’s partner farms most of the strike against Ashwin.

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