IPL 2022: Fleming hopes Moeen Ali recovers from ankle injury in a week

Mumbai The under pressure Chennai Super Kings team will not get the services of senior player Moeen Ali for the next few more matches but head coach Stephen Fleming is hopeful that the England all-rounder will recover from the injury in a week. Moeen suffered an ankle injury during a training session on Saturday and missed Monday’s match against Punjab Kings, which the Super Kings lost by 11 runs. Moeen played the last match for Super Kings on April 17 and in this match too, the team had to face defeat by three wickets against Gujarat Titans.

Fleming said at a post-match press conference on Monday, “His ankle was twisted, X-rays have revealed no fracture but it takes time to heal, maybe seven days.” Hope he recovers fast as there is no fracture.” Moeen, who was a key member of Chennai’s team that won the title last season, is struggling with both bat and ball in the current season. Moeen has so far scored 87 runs at an average of 17.40, including 48 against Sunrisers Hyderabad. He has not been able to take a single wicket in eight overs so far.

The Super Kings team is battling with injuries in the current season. Fast bowlers Deepak Chahar and Adam Milne have already been ruled out of the tournament due to injuries. Ambati Rayudu also suffered a minor injury to his hand while fielding on Monday and had to undergo treatment. Rayudu played a 39-ball 78 off 39 balls with seven fours and six sixes after the top-order failed to keep the Super Kings in the match but could not lead the team to victory. Fleming said, “When he looked at the break, he had a scratch on his hand. He was iced and probably played with a bandage.” He said, “It is the same arm that had fractured some time ago, this injury is still fresh and an innings like this can certainly cause some damage. ”

Fleming also defended the decision to send in-form Ravindra Jadeja above Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the batting order. Dhoni had led the team to a memorable victory against Mumbai Indians in the last match when he hit a six and two fours in the last over.

The coach said, “We lost a wicket in the 12th over (13th over). We have discussed this a lot, the best time for Dhoni to come is after 15 overs and Jadeja has played some good innings for us in the middle overs and we can’t rule it out on the basis of a match or two. When asked whether India’s Under-19 World Cup star Rajvardhan Hangargekar should be given a chance in view of the weak bowling attack of the Super Kings, Fleming said, “He can be given a chance but we have to be careful.” I know he has done well at the under-19 level but it (IPL) has a different level.