The final clash of IPL 2023 will be played between the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and the Gujarat Titans (GT), and renowned cricket commentator Aakash Chopra has shared his insights on the potential role of Moeen Ali in the crucial encounter. Despite Moeen’s underutilization in the tournament so far, Chopra believes that the all-rounder could shine for CSK in the title clash, offering a fresh perspective on the team’s middle order and potential strategies for success.
Throughout the IPL 2023 season, Moeen Ali has found himself batting down the order for CSK and has accumulated 124 runs in 10 innings at an average of 17.71. He has also bowled sparingly, taking nine wickets in 14 matches across 26 overs at an economy rate of 7.50. Chopra highlights Moeen’s limited involvement in the team, suggesting that captain MS Dhoni may have specific plans for the all-rounder in the final.
Aakash Chopra speculates that MS Dhoni has intentionally held back Moeen Ali, indicating that the CSK skipper may have reserved a special role for him in the final against the Gujarat Titans. By neither utilizing Moeen’s batting nor bowling to its full potential during the tournament, Dhoni is saving him for a crucial moment. Chopra believes this could be Moeen’s opportunity to shine on the big stage.
“Captain Dhoni is not using him (Moeen) at all. He is neither getting him to bat nor bowl. He has thought something about him. This could be his night. Jadeja might come good with the bat, but his bowling might not work here because the pitch will favor batting.” Said Aakash Chopra on his youtube channel.
Chopra emphasizes that spin bowling could play a vital role in the final. He suggests that the Gujarat Titans may target CSK’s middle-order batsman Shivam Dube, who has struggled against spin in recent matches. The Titans might exploit this vulnerability and use their spinners to trap Dube rather than relying solely on fast bowling to dismiss him.
“Dube will have slight problems against spin. He got dismissed by Noor Ahmad in the last match as well. They will also try to trap him not with fast bowling but with spin bowling.” Chopra further added.
Aakash Chopra expects Ajinkya Rahane, who has been in good form away from Chennai, to make a significant impact in the final. Rahane has not performed up to expectations in Chennai but has displayed his prowess as a reliable batsman outside the city. Positioned at number three, Rahane could be a key figure in CSK’s batting lineup, providing stability and contributing important runs in the title decider.
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“Ajinkya Rahane has not played well in Chennai. He has scored more runs as soon as he has gone out of Chennai. He has returned, and I feel he can score runs here. Ajinkya Rahane could be that bank at No. 3.” Said Chopra.
Dube (386) and Rahane (299) are CSK’s third and fourth-highest run-getters, behind only their two openers, in IPL 2023. The latter, who was at his explosive best at the start of the tournament, hasn’t reached the 25-run mark in his last five innings and will want to make a more significant contribution in the title decider.
