IPL 2025: I see myself as a third spinner only in KKR camp, says Moeen Ali

The IPL is no stranger to seeing some of the marquee names of the game biding their time on the benches — waiting for the right conditions or combination to make it to the playing XI.

Moeen Ali, a two-time World Cup winner for England and a part of the Kolkata Knight Riders squad in the IPL 2025, is well aware of that and wants to keep himself ready for the call.

“I know I will not be playing all the matches, but I will train so as to keep myself ready,” said the quintessential Utility Man of English Cricket, who called time on his international career in September 2024.

Now 37, Moeen has figured in two of the Knights’ four matches so far and there is every likelihood of him getting the nod against the Lucknow Super Giants in another highly billed afternoon game at what could be a slow track at the Eden Gardens on Tuesday, 8 April.

Speaking to National Herald in an exclusive chat on the eve of the game, the spinning all-rounder who has been there and done that was rather objective about the role he may be expected to play this season.

“You see, we have two brilliant spinners in Varun (Chakravarthy) and Sunil (Narine) and I see myself more as a third spinner. I don’t have their mystery, rather I rely on my experience to anticipate what the batters are trying to do and bowl accordingly,” said Moeen, who had been a key figure in Eoin Morgan’s world-beating side in the 2019 ICC World Cup and then again for World T20 champions under Jos Buttler.

An attacking batter and off spinner who had been a part of two title-winning sides of the Chennai Super Kings before and with the Royal Challengers Bangalore before, the England veteran feels he can bring a lot to the table for the youngsters of the team.

“I have come here at the backend of the career and can help the youngsters on and off the pitch — be it on how to cope with success or deal with failure or frustration. No one is ever happy to sit out a game but with experience, I am in a position to handle the situation better,” said Moeen, owner of 1167 runs and 37 wickets in IPL where he made his debut in 2014.

Like most of his ilk who have plied their trade under Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s captaincy during his heydays, Moeen was effusive in praise for the former Indian captain’s leadership. ‘’I have played for them for four seasons, three under MSD and one when we had (Ravindra) Jadeja starting as captain before he again took over. I could bat regularly at No.3 and was lucky to be a part of the winning squad twice,’’ he reflected.

It’s still early days in the 2025 season and Tuesday’s match is a crucial one for both the mid-table teams, the Knights and the Super Giants – now fifth and sixth, respectively, with two wins apiece from four matches.

‘’This KKR squad is a great mix of young and senior players and they have made me feel welcome and comfortable. Fortunately, they rely on spin too as a potent weapon to win matches,’’ added Moeen – who wants to carry on in franchise cricket for few more years. 

Catch the match

Kolkata Knight Riders vs Lucknow Super Giants

Venue: Eden Gardens

Start time: 3:30 p.m. IST