One of life’s greatest pleasures is to bat with de Villiers, says Moeen Ali
After having a match-winning partnership with AB de Villiers against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Moeen Ali has described it as his life’s greatest pleasure to bat with the South African Talisman. The English all-rounder has also acknowledged that the team can’t always rely on Kohli and AB for wins.
For the most part of this season, Moeen Ali had warmed the Royal Challengers Bangalore bench. When RCB’s season appeared to be ending with little hope alive, Moeen Ali was finally given a chance. The left-handed batting allrounder made his debut for RCB against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the away contest 10 days ago. He was not that impressive but he chipped in nicely. On Thursday too, against the same opponents at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Ali had a tough job at hand due to the importance of the match in the context of IPL. Skipper Virat Kohli had departed early after Kane Williamson had called right at the toss, and someone needed to take control of the game along with AB de Villiers. Moeen Ali came to the party with an attacking 65 (34b, 2x4, 6x6) with de Villiers (69, 39b, 12x4, 1x6) to help RCB to a commanding 218/6 - the third highest total of the season.
Moeen Ali, who scored most number of runs during the partnership that lasted for 107 runs from 57 balls, praised de Villiers' batting skills and termed it as the greatest pleasure of his life. The South-African batsman who is always touted as the best ever player in current times has caught the eyes of Ali.
“One of life's great pleasures is to bat with AB, and it was amazing to share a partnership with him," remarked Moeen Ali as reported by Cricbuzz.
In return, the Sunrisers Hyderabad almost pulled out the chase with some magnificent efforts from the captain Williamson and Manish Pandey. Williamson finished with 81 off 42 balls and Manish Pandey scored 62 off 38 balls and took apart the RCB bowlers with their 67-ball 135-run stand for the third wicket. But in the end, the visitors fell 14 runs short, finishing at 204/3. Needing 20 off the last over, Hyderabad lost Williamson off the first ball bowled by Mohammed Siraj and with that ended their hopes of an unbelievable win.
Moeen Ali’s quality batting display at No. 4 in his first appearance at the Chinnaswamy was phenomenal which gave RCB another fresh tint of hope for a top-four finish after winning the match. Talking about it Ali said, he is batting hours in the nets and playing some neat football but the knock against SRH has given him ample confidence to go forward and express himself in the remaining matches.
“I felt I have been playing football quite well, but I guess it's great to be in the team," he said. "I feel like I have been playing well in the nets and practice. It is just nice to go out and express myself in the last game here and for the fans and the team as well. And for my own confidence and the team's confidence in me. Hopefully, we can keep going and I can keep this form going as well."
The English all-rounder who has given the much-needed balance to RCB eleven has also acknowledged that the team can’t always rely on Kohli and AB, though they are two class players, as a team, they can’t rely on only them.
“We are going to have to contribute for us to go further and potentially get through and in the future as well. You can't always rely on two amazing players [Kohli and de Villiers]. They will do their bit but we will also have to chip in," he added.
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