IPL 2023 is witnessing MS Dhoni lead Chennai Super Kings again. While it is expected to be his last season, fans still hope to have him in IPL 2024, whereas Moeen Ali has provided a ground-breaking update.
England's seasoned all-rounder Moeen Ali feels Mahendra Singh Dhoni "could definitely" feature in the Indian Premier League (IPL) next year, playing down the widespread supposition that the ongoing season will be the former five-time champion Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain's last appearance in the Twenty20 (T20) league.
At 41, the ICC World Cup-winning former India skipper continues to attract a massive following across the length and breadth of the country, and last week came close to lifting CSK to a win over former champion Rajasthan Royals (RR), with batting that reminded everyone of his best years. "He could definitely play again next year," Moeen was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
"The way he's [Dhoni] playing, it'll not be his batting that stops him from playing, even if it's in two, three years. I wasn't surprised at how he played [against Rajasthan]. I've been watching him in the nets, and he's been batting unbelievably well. It's just amazing to see somebody at that age. It's not easy when you come in so late - people often forget that, but that's what makes him so good at his role," added Moeen.
Moeen also drew a parallel between Dhoni and his former England white-ball skipper Eoin Morgan, under whom the team won its first CWC in 2019. "They're very similar in how clear and calm they are, but also very different. Their interests and all that are very different. The biggest difference? MS does most of his captaincy on gut feel on the day. It could be a bit like that with Morgs, but he was also very data-driven. But they're both so calm. In terms of mannerisms, they are very, very, very similar," he sounded.
"The best way I could describe MS is that he's very normal. He has a massive following, but there's no big-headedness or anything like that. He's very humble. You can talk to him about anything. He's just as you see him on TV: approachable, calm," continued Moeen.
The 35-year-old spin bowling all-rounder, who had retired from Test cricket, is using the IPL to work on his bowling and "getting myself ready" for the CWC, which India is hosting later this year. He said it is likely to be his last CWC. "It's going to be important that I bowl and get my bowling up to the best place it can be," Moeen said.
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"It will likely be my last 50-over World Cup, so I want to ensure it's a good one for myself and the team. We want to defend the title, and spin could play a massive role in the World Cup," concluded Moeen.
(With inputs from PTI)
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