‘Dar gaya’ – Fans react as Moeen Ali reconfirms his retirement in Test cricket and says he would not tour India in 2024 for Tests

Moeen Ali has been one of the main spinners of England in Test cricket after the retirement of Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar. Though the right-arm off-spinner does not have great stats overall to show for his legacy, Ali has won a lot of games for England with certain spells in cricket, especially in English conditions over the years.  

The 36-year-old retired from Test cricket in 2022. But the English captain Ben Stokes asked Moeen Ali to make a comeback in Tests for the Ashes 2023 series against Australia through a text message. The Birmingham-born player accepted the call of Stokes and played Ashes for England. Despite sustaining an injury, Moeen played 4 Test matches in the series for England.  

In the fifth Test, Ali played a crucial role in the victory of England. Chasing 384 at the Oval, Australia was 264/3 at one stage and needed only 120 runs with 7 wickets in hand. That’s when Ali claimed three crucial wickets of Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, and Pat Cummins, which helped England to be back in the game and eventually win it by 49 runs.  

‘I am not going to India for the Test series’ – Moeen Ali

After the end of the Test, Moeen Ali announced his retirement from the format yet again. With Stuart Broad, Moeen Ali also made his way back to the pavilion for the applause of the home crowd. In the press conference, Ali was asked if he would ever make a comeback to the England side again if called by Ben Stokes. Ali replied saying “If Stokes calls me again, I will delete the message”.  

Now Moeen was asked if he would return to the English team for the tour of India. Ali clearly told his stance and said “I am not going to India for the Test series. There is no way, I am done. I have told Baz (McCullum) about my decision”. In 68 Test matches, Moeen has 204 wickets for England at a bowling average of 37.31, and a bowling strike rate of 61.81. 

Here’s how the fans reacted to Moeen’s statement –

https://twitter.com/arunwinnerboy/status/1686952523406716928?s=20

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