IPL: Chennai Super Kings thrash Rajasthan Royals by 45 runs

Moeen Ali starred with bat and ball in MS Dhoni’s 200th game as captain of Chennai Super Kings who thrashed Rajasthan Royals by 45 runs in the Indian Premier League, AFP reported.

The England all rounder scored a 20-ball 26 in Chennai’s 188 for nine and then claimed three wickets to restrict Rajasthan to 143-9 in Mumbai, AFP reported.

Moeen, who was bought for $950,000 in February’s auction, returned figures of 3-7 from his three overs of off spin, AFP reported.

It was Chennai’s second successive win of this season of the Twenty20 tournament after they lost their first game, AFP reported.

“It is important to have that sixth bowler,” Dhoni, who completed another landmark after his 200th appearance for the three-time IPL winners in their previous win, said of his wrecker-in-chief, AFP reported.

“It was good to have him. It (the pitch) was turning a bit and stopping a bit.”

Coming in to bat at number three, Moeen took the attack to the opposition bowlers as he hit two sixes and a boundary.

“My job here is to try and score as many runs for the team and get a good start,” said man of the match Moeen.