IPL 2019: Bowling Last Over Reminded Me of Ben Stokes Over in 2016 World T20 Final - Moeen Ali

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) all-rounder Moeen Ali defended 24 runs in the last against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) despite some fierce hitting from Andre Russell at the Eden Gardens on April 19 (Friday). Speaking at the end of the game, Ali said it reminded him of Ben Stokes’ over from the 2016 World T20 final against Windies in this very ground.

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Meanwhile, Bangalore was on the brinks of losing despite posting 213 runs in their quota of 20 overs. Virat Kohli scored an outstanding hundred while Moeen Ali’s 28-ball 66 powered them to a massive total on the board. Kohli ended his barren run of centuries after scoring four centuries in 2016 edition. Dale Steyn – who made a comeback to Bangalore after nine years, provided early breakthroughs to knock Kolkata out of the game.

But Nitish Rana and Andre Russell combined well almost to pull off a blinder. They added 118 runs as it was raining sixes and fours at Eden Gardens to change the course of the game. Russell, in particular, has been in outstanding in this season and yesterday was no different. It looked like a routine affair for him as he started hitting right from the first ball. With 24 runs needed, Virat Kohli played the masterstroke of handing the ball to his experienced all-rounder Moeen Ali. The English all-rounder, who was high on confidence after a scintillating knock, bowled a stunning over to hand Bangalore their second win.

In an exclusive chat with Dale Steyn after the end of the game, Moeen Ali divulged on what was exactly going on his head while bowling the 20th over of the game. Ali admitted that it reminded him of Ben Stokes’s last over against Windies in 2016 World T20 final when Carlos Brathwaite took him for four sixes to bring glory for the Caribbean team.

“It did yeah (when Steyn asked him if the final over reminded him of someone in particular). 2016 World T20 final, Ben Stokes… that is exactly what I was thinking. I’ve given him a lot of stick for that and it did cross my mind. I thought I better get this one right otherwise he is going to give it back to me,” Moeen told Steyn in a candid chat on iplt20.com.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have now secured their second win in this edition and will look to script more win and give themselves an outside chance of qualifying for the playoffs.