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"Holding On In A Selfish Way," Moeen Ali Takes Indirect Jibe At Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni

Aakash Saini

Moeen Ali and Rohit Sharma [Source: @KKR_Xtra, @sarcastic_us/x]Moeen Ali and Rohit Sharma [Source: @KKR_Xtra, @sarcastic_us/x]

Former England cricketer Moeen Ali has shared his views on the age-old dilemma of senior players extending their cricketing careers. Amidst the ongoing IPL 2025 season, the form of ageing Indian stars like Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni has come under scrutiny, prompting fresh debate over experience versus performance.

While Indian national captain Rohit Sharma has managed to tally just 38 runs in four innings, 43-year-old MS Dhoni has pushed himself down the batting order on a couple of occasions this IPL 2025 season. Notably, Sharma also had a dismal Test series in Australia earlier this year, and a below-par Champions Trophy campaign (sans the final) in the UAE last month.

Moeen Ali gives his take on seniority and retirement

Former England all-rounder Moeen Ali believes that one should never extend their playing careers just for their own “personal goals”. The cricketer added that players, irrespective of their seniority or stardom, should make way for other talents awaiting their opportunities for the overall benefit of their team.

While speaking with The Indian Express, he said:

“I definitely think you shouldn’t just hold on because you’re a big name or you have a massive following. And it should never be your own personal goals. Don't just hold on for the sake of holding on in a selfish way. Just be a bit more realistic and think, is it worth me holding on? Have I got more to give to the team? If the team wants to go in a new direction, I think you should allow that to happen.”

“If you're not performing and you're at that age where you're a bit older and there’s younger players coming through and they're probably playing better than you right now. It doesn't mean they're better than you now, but they’re playing better than you. Then you should be a bit more realistic and honest with yourself.”

Moeen Ali is currently in India to represent the KKR franchise in the IPL 2025 season. A veteran of 68 Tests, 138 ODIs and 92 T20I matches, Ali was part of the English team that lifted the 2019 World Cup at home and the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia.

In the two matches he has played so far this IPL, the 37-year-old has managed to score just five runs and pick up a couple of wickets, both against the Rajasthan Royals.