Four-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have been dealt another major injury blow after allrounder Moeen Ali hurt his ankle during a training session. ESPNcricinfo has learned that the franchise is waiting for scan results after he picked up the injury on Saturday ahead of their match against Punjab Kings (PBKS).
According to reports, the Englishman might miss the Super Kings' next few matches. Apart from their match on Monday against PBKS, they are slated to play the in-form Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Sunday, May 1.
Moeen's last appearance came on April 17 against Gujarat Titans (GT), where CSK lost by three wickets. Prior to his injury, Moeen was dropped for Chennai's match against Mumbai Indians (MI) and where New Zealand spin-bowling allrounder Mitchell Santner replaced him. The side went on the win the game by three wickets.
This will come as a massive disappointment for CSK, who have also lost the influential Deepak Chahar, as well as New Zealand pacer Adam Milne for the rest of the season. The side have roped in 19-year-old Sri Lanka star pacer Matheesha Pathirana as a replacement for Milne.
Moeen is in his second season with CSK after playing an important role in their 2021 IPL winning campaign. He scored 357 runs last time, and also picked up six wickets in 15 games for the team.
However, this time around, Moeen has struggled to reach peak form. Visa issues meant that he had to miss the tournament opener against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and in the five matches that he has played, Moeen has scored 87 runs at an average of 17.40, including a 48 against Sunrisers. Even with the ball, he has gone wicketless - in eight overs, he has conceded 68 runs.
Heading into the halfway stage of IPL 2022, CSK, who appointed Ravindra Jadeja as the successor to MS Dhoni as captain this season, have recorded just two wins in seven matches. They are currently on ninth in the points table.
