I don’t think Moeen Ali can be a regular starter for England: Kevin Pietersen

England’s spin all-rounder Moeen Ali has been a revelation for the three-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The all-rounder was picked by the franchise during the IPL 2021 auction at a staggering amount of INR 7 crore after he was released by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).

In the ongoing T20 Extravaganza, the CSK contingent played a gamble as they promoted Moeen Ali up the batting order to bat at number three. The move proved to be a masterstroke as Ali has delivered highly impressive performances with the bat along with providing the required stability to the CSK’s batting line-up.

In four matches played for CSK thus far, the England star has scored 133 runs at an average of 33.25 and strike rate of 152.87. He has also essayed the role of a part-time bowler picking up four wickets at an economy of 6.33.

The 33-year-old’s stunning performance this season has resulted in many fans slamming the England team management for not identifying his potential in the shortest format of the game and underutilizing him. Moeen Ali was made to warm the bench in the entire T20I series between India and England in Ahmedabad as the visitors preferred Adil Rashid over him.

Moeen Ali is playing England’s fantastic era: Pietersen

Former England captain Kevin Pietersen opined on the issue stating that Moeen Ali can’t be a regular starter for England in T20Is. Pietersen believes that the left-hander happens to be playing in a fantastic era of English batsmen and there isn’t any slot available for the all-rounder unless there is some injury or illness.

“I don’t think he can be a regular starter, but he’s definitely somebody who can step in where there is an illness, injury or somebody needs a rest. He just happens to be playing in a fantastic era of English batsmen. Look at the great Australian side around 20 years ago when guys like Mike Hussey and Damien Martyn were struggling to get in,” Pietersen said as quoted by Sportskeeda.

However, the former captain also cleared that he doesn’t have anything against Moeen Ali and admires his ability to contribute in all three facets of the game be it batting, bowling, or fielding. “But he’s a wonderful player. He’s three-dimensional, which I really like, and he’s proving how good a player he is at the moment,” Pietersen added.

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