England all-rounder Moeen Ali has announced his retirement from international cricket, marking the end of a decade-long career. 37-year-old Ali made his international debut in 2014 and became a key player for England across all three formats of the game. His decision to retire comes after a career filled with significant achievements, including being part of the England squads that won the ICC World Cup in 2019 and the T20 World Cup in 2022.
Moeen’s retirement marks the close of an era for English cricket. He first retired from Test cricket in 2021, only to return for the 2023 Ashes series against Australia. Despite his brief return, where he contributed to a series that ended in a draw, Moeen has now decided that the time is right to step away for good. In an interview with Nasser Hussain for the Daily Mail, Moeen expressed that he believes it is time for the next generation to take over.
“I could hold on and try to play for England again, but I know in reality I won’t,” Moeen said, reflecting on his decision. “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.”
Moeen’s impact on the field has been undeniably good. A stylish left-handed batter, he scored five centuries in Test matches and three in One Day Internationals (ODIs). His versatility as an off-spinner added another dimension to his game, allowing him to claim 204 wickets in Test cricket, 111 in ODIs, and 51 in T20 Internationals. The stats underscore his value to the England team over the years.
Moeen Ali for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL
Any global cricket fan would like to believe that Moeen Ali’s style of playing best suits the longest format of the game and that he’d be ineffective in T20s. However, Moeen Ali’s stats for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL tell a different story.
Moeen Ali has been a valuable asset for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) since joining the franchise in 2021. Retained for INR 8 crore ahead of the 2022 Mega Auction, Moeen’s all-round abilities have bolstered CSK’s lineup. A stylish left-handed batter and an aggressive off-break bowler, he has consistently delivered impactful performances for the team.
In the 2021 season, Moeen scored 357 runs in 15 matches with a strike rate of 137.30, demonstrating his ability to accelerate the innings. His highest score of 58 highlighted his role as a reliable middle-order batter who can stabilize the innings and accelerate when needed. With the ball, Moeen contributed six wickets, maintaining an economy rate of 6.35, showcasing his knack for breaking partnerships.
Moeen’s best bowling performance for CSK came in the 2023 season, where he took 9 wickets in 15 matches, including a match-winning 4/26. His all-round contributions were crucial in CSK’s campaigns, particularly with his ability to handle spin bowling and adapt to various match situations.
Also read: Australians to play for CSK in IPL: The Aussie Impact (2025 Update)
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