At the beginning of their second match of the IPL 2025, the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have brought bad news as the Caribbean all-rounder and franchise legend Sunil Narine is unavailable for the match against the hosts, Rajasthan Royals (RR), in Guwahati on Wednesday evening (March 26).  

Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati is hosting the sixth match of the IPL 2025, RR vs KKR, on Wednesday evening. Defending champions KKR started the tournament with a seven-wicket defeat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Meanwhile, RR started the new season with a 44-run loss against SunRisers Hyderabad after conceding the second-highest total in IPL history. So, the sixth match of the IPL 2025 is a crucial fixture for both KKR and RR, as both are desperate to register their first win of the IPL 2025 as early as possible. 

IPL 2025: RR vs KKR - Unwell Sunil Narine missed 

At the toss in the RR vs KKR match, KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane chose to bowl first after winning it. However, at the toss, Rahane brought the tough news for the KKR as Sunil Narine would miss the game. Skipper claimed that the Caribbean star was unwell, while the details could be revealed later. 

Sunil Narine is the joint fourth leading wicket-taker in IPL history with 181 wickets in 178 matches, while he has recorded 199 T20 wickets for KKR. While he has also scored 1578 IPL runs with a strike rate of 165.93, including one century and seven half-centuries, he is among only five cricketers with 1500+ runs and 100+ wickets in their IPL career. While KKR won their third IPL title in the 2024 edition, Narine was their leading run-scorer in the season (488 runs) and joint fourth-most wicket-taker in the season (17 wickets). These stats are enough to prove his importance to KKR.

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IPL 2025: RR vs KKR - Moeen Ali replaced Sunil Narine

English all-rounder Moeen Ali has replaced Narine for the IPL 2025 Guwahati match against Rajasthan Royals. It is a debut match for Moeen Ali for KKR, who has played 67 IPL matches to score 1162 runs and take 35 wickets. In the IPL career, Ali has a batting average of 22.78 and a strike rate of 141.53, including six half-centuries with his best knock of 93 runs. 

Former England cricketer Moeen Ali has showered his displeasure on dreading of ODI format which provides no competition to the bowlers the set of rules has complemented to batsman which is killing the format completely. Moeen Ali has played 138 ODI games for England where he has scored 2355 runs and taken 111 wickets. In the 2019 World Cup, he made his contribution to their maiden triumph. 

He had an extensive career in test too where he has played 68 tests scoring 3000 runs and taking 200 wickets. He has been on the adjacent player to England who fitted in every department starting his career as opener and one down batsman later becoming an great finisher to the team. Moeen believes that the contenst between bat and ball should be equal, not to favor only one set of the department. 

Does Bat Is Dominating The Bat

Moeen expressed his concerns that the ODI format is losing its charm, if you take out the World Cup and Champions Trophy there is nothing left. It has become the worst format to play I am not saying this by just my words I have valid reasons he says. In those days after the first powerplay there used to be 5 players outside the ring. Now in recent rule has changed into 4.

Read More: Batting Coach Sitanshu Kotak says KL Rahul Has Accepted Batting At 6

Which increases the gaps easily, the other reason is that the usage of two balls earlier in the format was played with a new ball, Now the arrival of the new ball has just killed the bowlers and their interpretation of the game. The use of saliva is banned, it just shows that bowlers have nothing to do they just have to come and bowl and get smashed. This is what the scenario is, what sought of rule is this how would a bowler create pressure with limited fielders outside the circle? 

Players Performing T20 Leagues

The batters are averaging 60+,  if a bowler bowls to a batsman having 4 players outside the circle he just reverse sweeps it and gets a boundary now what else the bowler can do? Now coming to the new ball it's just insane already a hard ball takes time to soften and due to softening it gets reversed. You have killed that one too by adding a new ball the idea of that was to keep the swing of the ball alive but it dismantles the corrosion of the reverse swing which was the bowler's lethal weapon.

Read More: Former Pakistan Cricketer Has Criticised The Team Selection For New Zealand Series

Now it's like a batsman game only once it gets connection from the bat it's no stopping. Because of this some players get retired quickly and they get offers from franchise leagues to play alongside them. Another sad thing is these franchise crickets are eating up the nature of the game the amount of money given is so huge that players won't be able to deny it. And you will see in upcoming years few players will retire soon to play franchise cricket. This year Moeen Ali is going to play for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL. 

The 37-year-old English all-rounder Moeen Ali announced his retirement from international cricket. 

Moeen Ali last served for the English team during the recently concluded ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the United States. Defending champions England reached the semi-finals of that tournament, where India beat them by 68 runs. 

Moeen made his international cricket debut in 2014. In that same year, he played for England in all three international cricket formats.  

Moeen was a key member of the English team during winning the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 and ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 trophies. 

Watch: Pacer Chris Woakes turns into a spinner

Moeen Ali retired from Test cricket after the Ashes 2023

Although Moeen initially retired from Test cricket in September 2021, he came out of retirement for the Ashes 2023 after injured Jack Leach was ruled out from the home series. After Ashes 2023, he retired from Test cricket.  

Australia are set to play a three-match T20I series and five-match ODI series against the hosts England, starting on September 11. As Moeen wasn’t selected in both the English white-ball teams, he decided to announce his international retirement. He last played an ODI against Pakistan during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023.

Moeen said in a Daily Mail interview, "I'm 37 years old and didn't get picked for this month's Australia series. I've played a lot of cricket for England. It's time for the next generation, which was also explained to me. It felt the time was right. I've done my part."

Moeen played 68 Tests, 138 ODIs, and 92 T20Is. The left-handed batter scored 3094 Test runs, 2355 ODI runs, and 1229 T20I runs. Meanwhile, the off-spinner picked up 204 Test wickets, 111 ODI wickets, and 51 T20I wickets. 

Moeen was the 16th Test player to achieve 3000 Test runs and 200 Test wickets. 

Moeen Ali led the English team in 13 white-ball matches

Moeen was the vice-captain of England limited-overs teams. From 2020 to 2023, he led the English team in 13 international matches – one ODI and 12 T20Is. As an English captain, he won five T20Is. 

The English all-rounder Moeen Ali is proud of his achievements, who played 298 international matches for England. 

Moeen added, "I'm very proud. When you first play for England, you don't know how many games you're going to play. So to play nearly 300…My first few years were all about Test cricket. Once Morgs [Eoin Morgan] took over the one-day stuff, that was more fun. But Test cricket was the proper cricket.”

Although Moeen is still confident about his game, he also understands the national team’s present requirements. 

Moeen said, "Even now, I've tried to be realistic. I could hold on and try to play for England again, but I know in reality I won't. Even retiring, I don't feel it's because I'm not good enough -- I still feel I can play. But I get how things are, and the team needs to evolve into another cycle. It's about being real to myself."

Talking about the most important thing in his cricket career, Moeen pointed out how to make an impact.

Moeen claimed, "People forget the impact you make in games. It might only have been 20 or 30, but it was a crucial 20 or 30. For me, it was about making an impact. I know what I brought to the side, on and off the field. As long as I felt people enjoyed watching me play, whether or not I did well, I was happy with that."

Moeen Ali's next targets

Moeen is still enjoying cricket as he wants to continue franchise cricket. Apart from participating in the T20 Blast and the Hundred, the English all-rounder also played in the IPL, BPL, PSL, SA20, Mzansi Super League, and International League T20.

Moeen is now experiencing the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) for the first time. He just joined the defending champions Guyana Amazon Warriors as a replacement player.

While he wants to continue his franchise, Moeen also wants to be a great coach. 

Moeen added, "A bit of franchise cricket, because I still love playing. But coaching is something I want to do -- I want to be one of the best. I can learn a lot from Baz [Brendon McCullum]. I hope people remember me as a free spirit. I played some nice shots and some bad shots, but hopefully people enjoyed watching me."

Talking about his greatest moments in international career, Moeen pointed out winning the Ashes and two World Cups. However, in the individual point of view, he pointed out his match-winning Test hat-trick against South Africa at The Oval in 2017 and fastest T20I half-century by an English batter (16-ball fifty against South Africa at Bristol in 2022).

The defending champions kicked off the new season in spectacular fashion, securing an emphatic 8-wicket victory over Birmingham Phoenix in the Men’s Hundred season opener at The Oval. This triumph marked a historic moment for the Invincibles as it was their first-ever win against Phoenix in the tournament’s history. The match began with Phoenix’s captain, Moeen Ali, winning the toss and opting to bat first. His counterpart, Sam Billings, expressed confidence in their bowling unit’s ability to perform under pressure, which turned out to be a decisive factor in the game.

The Invincibles’ bowlers delivered an exceptional performance, dismantling the Phoenix batting lineup with precision and skill. Mohammad Amir set the tone with his superb figures of 2 for 7, while Saqib Mahmood added pressure with his 2 for 25. The standout performance came from Adam Zampa, whose 3 for 11 was instrumental in bundling the Phoenix out for a meager 89 runs in just 81 balls. This dominant display by the bowlers laid the foundation for a comfortable chase, and the Invincibles cruised to victory with ease, maintaining their winning streak and making a strong statement for the season ahead.

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Understanding Birmingham Phoenix’s Struggles with the Bat

Birmingham Phoenix’s innings was marred by a series of false shots that disrupted their momentum and consistency throughout the match. In the early stages, the first three overs showed a concerning trend with false shot percentages of 40%, 36.36%, and 45.45% respectively. This shaky start hinted at a lack of control and precision, setting a precarious tone for the innings. The fourth over, in particular, was disastrous with a false shot percentage skyrocketing to 70%, indicating severe difficulties in facing the bowlers effectively.

As the innings progressed, the middle overs saw a mixture of stability and struggle. The fifth over offered a brief respite with a 30% false shot rate, suggesting a momentary regaining of composure. However, inconsistency plagued the team as the seventh over witnessed another high at 60%. Despite this, there were glimpses of improvement and adaptation, especially in the 14th over where the false shot percentage dropped significantly to 11.11%. This dip hinted at the batters’ ability to readjust and apply themselves better against the bowling attack, but such moments were fleeting.

Towards the end of the innings, the false shots continued to hinder Phoenix’s performance. The 15th over repeated the earlier struggles with a 60% false shot rate, and the final over saw a dramatic spike to 100%, highlighting a complete collapse under pressure. This inconsistency and frequent lapses in concentration underscored the challenges Birmingham Phoenix faced in constructing a stable and effective innings. The high percentages of false shots at crucial junctures not only stifled scoring opportunities but also led to frequent dismissals, ultimately derailing their chances of posting a competitive total.

Tim Southee made an immediate impact for Birmingham Phoenix, striking early to dismiss Will Jacks for just 6 runs off 7 balls. However, Tawanda Muyeye briefly countered with an aggressive knock, hitting four boundaries in his quickfire 23 off 14 deliveries. When Southee returned for his second spell, he managed to claim Muyeye’s wicket, but unfortunately for Phoenix, their bowling attack failed to capitalize on this breakthrough.

Dawid Malan, who hadn’t faced a ball in the first 20 deliveries, then took charge alongside skipper Sam Billings. Together, they forged an unbeaten partnership of 62 runs for the third wicket, with Billings contributing a steady 31* off 28 balls. Their composed and confident batting guided the Oval Invincibles to a comfortable victory, overshadowing the initial breakthroughs made by Phoenix.

See Also: ENG vs WI: Day 1: Ollie Pope capitalizes on WI’s errors to score 6th Test Century

In an electrifying IPL showdown, Gujarat Titans showcased their batting prowess, led by skipper Shubman Gill and B Sai Sudharsan, who smashed brilliant hundreds in a record-equalling double hundred plus opening stand against Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

Sudharsan’s explosive 103 off 51 balls, complemented by Gill’s sublime 104 off 55 balls, powered GT to a formidable total of 231 for 3 after being put into bat by CSK. Their sensational partnership of 210 runs for the first wicket equalled the IPL record set by Quinton de Kock and KL Rahul in 2022.

Despite a valiant effort from CSK’s Daryl Mitchell (63 off 34) and Moeen Ali (56 off 36), who shared a crucial 109-run partnership for the fourth wicket, the target proved too steep. CSK’s chase faltered, and despite a late cameo from Mahendra Singh Dhoni (26 off 11 balls), they were restricted to 196 for 8 in 20 overs.

Shubman Gill’s century gives the team a push towards win

Mohit Sharma starred with the ball for GT, claiming 3/31, while Rashid Khan picked up 2/38 to stifle CSK’s chase. CSK won the toss and elected to bowl first against GT. GT’s openers got off to a flying start, with Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan laying a solid foundation. Gill’s explosive century, coupled with Sudharsan’s impressive ton, propelled GT to a commanding total of 231/2.

See Also: History by GT skipper! Shubman Gill smashes 100th IPL hundred

Daryl Mitchell and Moeen Ali’s efforts fall short as CSK face defeat

In pursuit of the daunting target, CSK’s top order faltered early, with Rachin Ravindra and Ajinkya Rahane departing cheaply. Despite a resilient effort from Mitchell and Ali, CSK’s chase faltered, with key wickets falling at crucial junctures. Mohit Sharma and Rashid Khan starred with the ball for GT, securing a vital 35-run win and keeping their playoff hopes alive.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has decided to recall its players from the Indian Premier League (IPL) just before the playoffs, citing the upcoming T20 World Cup as the primary reason.

Importance of T20 World Cup Preparation

With the T20 World Cup looming, the ECB emphasizes the importance of preparing its players for the global tournament. To ensure adequate preparation and cohesion within the squad, ECB has scheduled a home series against Pakistan, starting from May 22.

See Also: England announce 15-member squad for T20 World Cup 2024

Focus on the Home Series Against Pakistan

In line with this strategy, the ECB has mandated that players selected for the T20 World Cup squad must be available for the Pakistan series, necessitating their withdrawal from the IPL. This decision underscores ECB’s commitment to fielding a competitive and well-prepared team for the World Cup.

ECB’s Announcement and its Implications

The official announcement from the ECB confirms the return of selected players from the IPL in time for the Pakistan series. This announcement clarifies the board’s stance and ensures transparency regarding player availability and commitments leading to the T20 World Cup.

“Selected players, currently playing in the Indian Premier League, will return in time for the series against Pakistan, which gets underway at Headingley on Wednesday 22 May 2024,” ECB said in the release published on its official website.

Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders

The decision to recall England players from the IPL playoffs will significantly impact teams like Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders. Key players such as Jos Buttler and Phil Salt, integral to their respective teams’ batting lineups, will be unavailable for crucial matches.

Additionally, players like Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, and Liam Livingstone, representing teams like Chennai Super Kings and Punjab Kings, will depart from the IPL. While their absence may not directly affect playoff standings, it diminishes the strength and depth of their respective teams.

England’s T20 World Cup bound players with different IPL teams

Jos Buttler – Rajasthan Royals

Moeen Ali – Chennai Super Kings

Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone – Punjab Kings

Reece Topley, Will Jacks – Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Phil Salt – Kolkata Knight Riders

Several key players in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 are facing the prospect of early exits from the tournament due to their international commitments. These players, integral to their IPL franchises, are likely to depart earlier than expected, leaving a void in their teams’ line-ups. Let’s know about the details of these potential departures and their impact on the ongoing IPL season.

Reece Topley (RCB)

Representing Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Reece Topley is an essential component of England’s T20 World Cup plans. Scheduled to leave in the third week of May, Topley’s absence could pose a challenge for RCB’s bowling lineup as they strive for success in the IPL.

Sikandar Raza (PBKS)

Playing for Punjab Kings (PBKS), Sikandar Raza is expected to bid adieu to the IPL by the end of April. With Zimbabwe set to tour Bangladesh for five T20Is, Raza’s departure could disrupt PBKS’ balance in the middle order.

Mustafizur Rahman (CSK)

For Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Mustafizur Rahman’s services might not be available in May due to Bangladesh’s T20I series against Zimbabwe and the USA. Rahman’s absence could affect CSK’s bowling options in the crucial stages of the tournament.

Jos Buttler (RR)

Rajasthan Royals’ (RR) Jos Buttler could receive a call back in the third week of May as England prepares to face Pakistan in four T20Is starting from May 22. Buttler’s potential departure could leave a significant void in RR’s batting lineup.

Will Jacks (RCB)

Another player from RCB, Will Jacks, is a vital cog in England’s T20 World Cup plans. Like Topley, he might leave the IPL early to participate in T20Is against Pakistan, potentially impacting RCB’s middle-order stability.

Liam Livingstone (PBKS)

PBKS’s Liam Livingstone is another English player who could exit the IPL prematurely to feature in the Pakistan series. His departure might disrupt PBKS’s plans, especially considering his all-round capabilities.

Moeen Ali (CSK)

CSK’s Moeen Ali could face unavailability issues with England facing Pakistan from May 22 onwards. Ali’s departure might leave a void in CSK’s middle order and spin department.

Phil Salt (KKR)

Representing Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), opener Phil Salt might also face an early exit from the IPL due to England’s series against Pakistan. KKR could struggle to find a suitable replacement for Salt at the top of the order.

Joshua Little (Gujarat Titans)

Although he hasn’t featured in any games this season, Joshua Little of Gujarat Titans might have to leave in May as Ireland plays Pakistan in three T20Is from May 10 to 14. His absence might not directly impact Gujarat Titans but could affect their squad depth.

Sam Curran (PBKS)

PBKS’s Sam Curran, a key member of the team, might be unavailable towards the end of the league stage due to his international commitments. His absence could pose challenges for PBKS in both batting and bowling departments.

Jonny Bairstow (PBKS)

Another PBKS player, Jonny Bairstow, might have to depart early to be available for England’s T20Is against Pakistan. His early exit could disrupt PBKS’s batting plans and team balance.

See Also: Shubman Gill gives an epic reply to ‘leaving it too late for a win’ comment

These potential departures due to international commitments highlight the delicate balance between IPL participation and national team duties. Cricket enthusiasts will keenly observe how these developments unfold and the subsequent impact on their respective IPL franchises.

England’s foremost all-rounder, Moeen Ali, has praised MS Dhoni as an extraordinary captain who constantly surprises his players with his exceptional strategic acumen. Speaking in an interview with ESPNcricinfo while in Bangladesh for the country’s franchise T20 League (BPL), the Birmingham-born cricketer delved into his experiences playing under Dhoni’s leadership.

During the interview, Ali discussed various topics, including his return to Test cricket during the Ashes last year and England’s performance in the 5-match Test series in India. Among the subjects explored was Ali’s perspective on playing under the captaincy of the 2011 World Cup-winning skipper, MS Dhoni.

Moeen Ali describes MS Dhoni’s leadership as “thrilling”

The 36-year-old began by describing MSD as not only a special player but also a special captain. Moeen expressed admiration for Dhoni’s unique approach, highlighting how his strategic prowess keeps players uncertain about their roles. The all-rounder emphasized that whenever he plays under Dhoni’s leadership in CSK, victory feels attainable regardless of the team’s composition.

Moeen Ali was acquired by the CSK franchise for 7 crores in the IPL 2021 auction. His impactful performance contributed significantly to CSK’s title triumph that year, with 357 runs and 6 wickets from 15 matches. He was retained by the Stephen Fleming-led management for 8 crores ahead of the 2022 mega auction. In the subsequent season, Ali managed 124 runs and 9 wickets from the same number of matches, as Chennai matched Mumbai Indians in terms of most IPL trophies.

“Everyone acknowledges Dhoni’s exceptional abilities as both a player and a captain. He’s a fantastic individual. Despite playing three seasons under him, I still find his strategic unpredictability intriguing. It’s thrilling as a player to anticipate the roles he assigns. Playing for CSK under Dhoni’s leadership, regardless of the team’s perceived strength, always instills a sense of confidence in winning,” Moeen Ali remarked via ESPNcricinfo.

During the interview, Ali was also questioned about England’s prospects of retaining the ICC T20 World Cup, a title they secured in 2022. Ali expressed optimism about the Jos Buttler-led team’s chances, citing their formidable squad as they prepare for the event co-hosted by the USA and West Indies in June.

Ali’s sole objective is to secure trophies

Expanding on his previous comments about MS Dhoni, Moeen Ali expressed his ambition to secure numerous trophies throughout the remaining years of his career. The left-handed batsman and right-arm off-spinner emphasized that his success will ultimately be measured by the number of trophies he has won rather than individual statistics such as averages or strike rates.

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“Personally, my goal is to accumulate as many trophies as possible. When reflecting on my career, I want to recall the trophies I’ve earned rather than focusing on personal statistics. It’s about contributing to a team’s success and leaving behind a lasting legacy. For instance, with Comilla, we clinched the last two BPL trophies,” Ali concluded.

Moeen Ali’s return to Test Cricket was looked at as a moment of excitement. For his style of play, the new regime would suit him better than any period of his original Test career. On his comeback though, Moeen Ali, turning 36, had to go through one of his not so good birthdays. Turning 36 is tough as it is with the phase of the mid-thirties coming up, which is also a pretty big phase in a cricketers career as he looks for ways to extend his time out in the middle.

To add to the pressure, Moeen Ali was handed a fine for his finger as he sprayed a drying agent on his bowling hand without informing the umpires. The need for tthe drying agent was evident. With a blister on his spinning finger, which later turned into a pretty bad cut, Moeen Ali was struggling to bowl. He ended up bowling more full-tosses and half-trackers than he would have liked, and could not get much rip on the ball with his finger injured.

It was evident that Moeen Ali was struggling and the burdens of long form cricket were showing. With a few extra overs under his belt, the skin on his finger showed signs of wear and Moeen Ali was declining in effect and confidence as the day went on. He did bowl some beauties but was also taken apart, especially by Pat Cummins, who punished some poor full tosses by Moeen Ali.

To Ali’s defense though, the workload he had in this Test match was one of his most throughout his Test career. The fact that it came after a gap from first class cricket though elevated the effect on the finger, which gave away.

This isn’t the first time though for Moeen Ali, bowling with a bad finger. In 2017, playing in Australia, Moeen Ali went through the same issue. He continued to bowl through the series but ended up leaving Australian shores with only four wickets in five Tests at an average of 115. In 2019 as well, Moeen Ali went through a similar finger issue and this time he was left out all together as Jack Leach came in for the remaining four Tests.

Is Moeen the only one to blame though for this? England may have seen this coming with Moeen Ali coming off a gap in first class cricket. He did get fair turn and also bowled a really good ball to get Cameron Green. However, 29 overs in his first two days back may have been a little too much for the body to handle. By the end, he conceded 147 runs in the innings, which included some dropped chances off his bowling, and a few full tosses which were easy pickings.

England though will be unpertubed. Despite getting this marginal call with Ali wrong for the first Test, it will not be surprising to see him continue at Lords, and make a strong comeback as England too look to fightback after a close loss at Edgbaston.

Moeen Ali retired long before Bazball became a thing. His last Test was in September 2021 and Bazball started a good 9 months later. Throughout Ben Stokes’s tenure, Jack Leach has been backed as the bowler for the moment. His aggressive style of left-arm spin and ability to bowl long spells from one end made him a huge asset in the attack. He played in each of the Tests that Ben Stokes has led and to have him ruled out all of a sudden would have come as a shock to the England line-up.

With the backup spinners, not Ashes-ready, and with the same spinners not impressing in their given opportunities, England had no other option but to ask Moeen Ali one more time. Under the new management, Moeen Ali had already been tempted to consider a Test comeback once with the new group focusing on aggression, suiting his style of play. Given his abilities with both bat and ball, Moeen Ali would have been a perfect fit to the line-up. Ali though resisted the temptation and stayed in retirement as his teammates went on to whitewash Pakistan in Pakistan.

The same temptation though could not be resisted again. In a ship that looked to be sailed, Moeen Ali has found his way back as the player who could be the best fix for the moment. His return may not be a long-term thing, but for now, England has a player who could do the job for them in the near future.

With 64 Tests England did not have to look far away to find a player to come in for Jack Leach. Ali’s numbers though may not be the brightest but he does have close to 3000 runs and 195 wickets which is a fair bit of experience to rely on. Unlike Jack Leach though, Moeen Ali is not the most attacking. His type of bowling relies more on holding an end and applying pressure for the others to use.

With his batting, and with his batting full of intent, Moeen Ali would seamlessly fit into the Ben Stokes template, allowing England to field a much deeper batting line-up, which automatically makes them look all the more threatening. As a player he played all over the batting line-up. He went from opening all the way till number nine in his Test Career which speaks about his flexibility and ability to fit in to the line-up.

With the ball too, Ali has often been used as the primary and secondary spinner, supporting the likes of Adil Rashid in the Test attack in the past. This time though, Moeen Ali seems to be in with a key role. He will be the sole and primary spinner in the side and with the bat the expectation will be to go and have all the fun he wants, batting with pure intent.

The question though is if Moeen Ali can bowl with the same endurance that Jack Leach does. On the 2017-2018 Ashes, Moeen Ali tore his spinning finger which affected his ability to get the ball to rip and was also dropped after the first Ashes Test in 2019, which is an indicator that his numbers in the Ashes are not the greatest.

He has five more Tests now and it is uncertain on whether he would continue after these five Tests or head back to retirement. With some white-ball multinational tournaments ahead, and with a packed franchise schedule, the upcoming Tests could give Moeen Ali a fair bit to think about. For now though he comes in as a band-aid to help England get past a tough time.