‘I’m absolutely buzzing’ – Moeen Ali excited to team up with India legend MS Dhoni at IPL giants Chennai Super Kings
England all-rounder Moeen Ali says he is ‘absolutely buzzing’ to join Chennai Super Kings for the 2021 Indian Premier League and excited to team up with India legend MS Dhoni.
Three-time IPL champions CSK beat Punjab Kings in a bidding war to sign Moeen, 33, for around £700,000.
Moeen, who left England’s Test tour of India last week, has played in three Indian Premier Leagues but only made three appearances for Royal Challengers Bangalore last season.
‘I’m absolutely buzzing to be playing for CSK this year. It’s made my day, it’s made my year,’ he said.
‘They have a massive fan base. To play under MS Dhoni will be amazing, it’s something that most cricketers want to do. Having Sam Curran as a team-mate is also great, I’m looking forward to that.’
L Balaji, Chennai Super Kings’ bowling coach, added: ‘We were focusing on an all-rounder and power-hitting. Moeen is a good buy.
‘He is handy with the ball and also can bat in the top order. [Shane] Watson gave us that flexibility in the top order.
‘Now Moeen gives us depth and the option of a dual role – [I’m] 100% sure he’ll fill in what we’re looking at.’
Chennai reached the IPL final in 2019 but endured a hugely disappointing campaign last year, losing eight of their 14 group matches to finish joint-bottom with Rajasthan Royals.
Ahead of the 2021 auction, CSK released the likes of Shane Watson, Murali Vijay, Kedar Jadhav and Harbhajan Singh, before bolstering Stephen Fleming’s squad with marquee signings Moeen and Krishnappa Gowtham.
India batsman Cheteshwar Pujara was another surprise purchase by Chennai, but their chief executive, KS Viswanathan, is confident he will make an impact.
‘We believe someone who is so technically sound can adapt to any format,’ he said. ‘He is such a committed performer. It was out of respect for his contribution for India.
Pujara, 33, last featured in the Indian Premier League seven years ago and said: ‘It’s good to be back. I haven’t spoken to the CSK management yet, but I always want to play the shorter formats.’
Mumbai Indians will attempt to win their third successive Indian Premier League when the tournament starts in April.
Follow Metro Sport across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Full Post Here - ‘I’m absolutely buzzing’ – Moeen Ali excited to team up with India legend MS Dhoni at IPL giants Chennai Super Kings
Get Bitcoin Watching YouTube
No comments: