In a recent interview with Samp Group, Moeen Ali, the talented all-rounder, shared his thoughts on the top five cricket players who have left a lasting impact on him.
MS Dhoni
Topping his list is the legendary MS Dhoni, former captain of the Chennai Super Kings and a cricket icon. Moeen acknowledges Dhoni’s greatness not just as a player but also for his remarkable leadership, guiding India to three ICC trophy triumphs.
“For me No. 1 is Dhoni. He was a great player but people forget how good he was. It is everything he won as a captain for India,” said Moeen in a recent interview with Samp Group.
Virat Kohli
Next in line is Virat Kohli, India’s batting sensation. Moeen considers Kohli as one of the best modern-day batters, emphasizing his greatness across various formats. With an impressive tally of 80 international centuries, Kohli has certainly earned his spot as one of the cricketing giants.
Sachin Tendulkar
The third position on Moeen’s list goes to the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, often hailed as one of the greatest batters in the history of international cricket. Despite his personal admiration for Tendulkar, Moeen places him at number three, acknowledging his pivotal role in shaping the art of proper batting.
“It pains me to say this but he (Sachin) is No.3 because of him being Sachin and I think he started the (art) of proper batting. There was Sunil Gavaskar as well but he was before my era so I didn’t see a lot of him. But Sachin was just different level,” added Moeen.
Virender Sehwag
Virender Sehwag, the explosive opener known for tormenting bowlers, secures the fourth spot. Moeen expresses his admiration for Sehwag’s unique style of play, highlighting his destructive performances in Test matches, ODIs, and T20s. Sehwag’s incredible strike rate and two triple hundreds in Tests make him a standout choice for Moeen.
“My favourite batter is Virender Sehwag because he was something different. The way he batted in Test matches, ODIs and T20s, he scored massive and he absolutely destroyed bowlers,” he further said.
Yuvraj Singh
Closing out the top five is Yuvraj Singh, the legendary Indian all-rounder. Moeen reveals that he looked up to Yuvraj as a batter and acknowledges the comparisons drawn between their playing styles. Yuvraj’s pivotal role in India’s 2011 ODI World Cup victory, where he was named ‘Player of the Tournament’ for his stellar all-round performances, cements his place in Moeen’s list.
Moeen expresses his admiration for Yuvraj’s bat swing and playing style, emphasizing the joy of watching him in action when in peak form. The interview provides a unique insight into Moeen Ali’s cricketing influences, showcasing his appreciation for the diverse talents that have graced the cricketing world.
“The guy I looked up to as a batter…in terms of…of course I would try to copy up to a certain extent and people have compared me to him a little bit so it’s Yuvraj Singh. The bat swing, the way he played and his bat swing was amazing to watch. When in form, he was the best player to watch,” he added.
