Patel also credited MS Dhoni for going with Moeen Ali at No.3.
MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) looked really good in the recently suspended 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2021) as the franchise was at the second spot on the points table with 10 points to their name, winning 5 out of 7 matches.
After a fairly disappointing season last year, the Chennai-based franchise was able to turn it around this year. According to former India wicket-keeper batsman Parthiv Patel, all-rounder Moeen Ali was the ‘main game-changer this season.
“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 (du Plessis) and Ruturaj (Gaekwad) gave. It was good to see him performing so well,” Patel told Star Sports.
“It was important to make a collective comeback. That is exactly what has happened with CSK. Yes, openers did very well but I think the middle order was the key,” he added.
The Gujarat batsman then credited skipper Dhoni for going with Moeen Ali at No.3 rather than Suresh Raina as the latter was back after missing last year’s tournament.
“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 the backseat, he knew that there are guys who are batting well and they should get more overs,” the 36-year-old said.
(With IANS inputs)