Top 5 innings of Moeen Ali in IPL

Best Innings of Moeen Ali

In T20 cricket, the value of a player who can bat at top or middle-order, and can simultaneously bowl four overs, is immense. Royal Challengers Bangalore got themselves one such player in 2018. Moeen Ali, the English all-rounder, is not a very flamboyant player.

He is neither the biggest hitter of the ball or the biggest turner of it. But what he adds is reliability and stability in the batting order, and also an extra option in the bowling attack. But in IPL, Ali has been mostly successful for his batting. He has maintained an average of almost 25, chipping in with crucial knocks whenever he was called upon to do so.

Let us have a look at the top 5 innings of Moeen Ali in IPL:

5. 26 (16) vs Chennai Super Kings

The first entry on our list of top 5 innings of Moeen Ali in IPL is from last season when Royal Challengers Bangalore took on Chennai Super Kings at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Ali has been used at all sorts of position by RCB, and in this match, he was a finisher.

By the time Ali came to bat, the likes of Parthiv Patel and AB de Villiers had already put Bangalore in a place from where they can fight. Ali’s job was to provide the run rate with an elevation. He played a knock of 26 runs from 16 balls, which included 5 boundaries. His knock helped RCB score 161 runs, which eventually proved to be just about enough as they won the game by one run.

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4. 32 (18) vs Delhi Capitals

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This is another game from last season, where Ali was used as a finisher. Again batting first, this time Bangalore did not have as good a start, as, except skipper Virat Kohli, every batsman failed to deliver. Ali came in and formed a 30-run partnership with Kohli.

After his dismissal, Ali started calling for the shots. His quickfire 32 from just 18 deliveries helped Bangalore get close to the 150-run mark. He struck three big hits in this game. Despite his efforts, Delhi managed to chase the total down as their skipper Shreyas Iyer played a sublime knock.

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3. 50 (32) vs Mumbai Indians

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This entry on the list of top 5 innings of Moeen Ali in IPL is an example of Ali batting up the order, as a number 4. Ultimately, this position proved as optimal for him. In this match against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium, Ali was called upon after Bangalore lost both their openers inside the 7th  over.

He and his skipper once again set up a good partnership, this time a much bigger one of 95 runs. While Kohli scored 75 runs, Ali scored an impressive 50 from just 32 balls. His knock comprised of five sixes. This third-wicket partnership helped Bangalore cross the 170-run mark, but that didn’t prove enough to get them over the line.

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2. 65 (34) vs Sunrisers Hyderabad

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Moeen Ali did not get many opportunities to bat in 2018. But near the business end of the competition, he was tried at number four. That plan worked when Bangalore faced Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Here again, Bangalore lost both of their openers early on.

Ali was entrusted with the task of forming a partnership with Mr. 360° AB de Villiers. Together, they set up a 107-run third-wicket stand. Ali scored 65 runs from just 34 deliveries, 36 of which came solely from sixes. Besides that, he also struck a couple of fours. His knock helped RCB post the mammoth total of 218, which was eventually enough to get them the victory.

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1. 66 (28) vs Kolkata Knight Riders

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Moeen Ali’s best knock in IPL came last season when Bangalore faced Kolkata Knight Riders at the city of joy. Bangalore lost two top-order batters in Parthiv Patel and Akshdeep Nath inside 60 runs. Virat Kohli again found a worthy partner in Ali, and they set up a match-winning third-wicket stand.

They set up a 90-run partnership, 66 of which came from Ali. He struck five fours and six sixes in this match. His knock helped Bangalore reach a place from where Kohli would be able to play shots freely, without the worry of throwing his wicket away. He did similarly and got his century from just 58 deliveries. Bangalore managed to 213 runs, which was enough for them to secure the win on the night.

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