Moeen Ali was struggling in IPL 2025, and then the tournament was paused for a week due to the India-Pakistan conflict. Ali was playing for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), but when tensions between India and Pakistan increased, he chose to leave India. He did not return when the tournament resumed.
Moeen Ali’s Decision to Leave India During IPL 2025
Moeen Ali, who has Pakistani roots, wanted to protect his family during the tough times. At the time, he was in India with his wife and kids, while his parents were in POK.
“I’m one of those who don’t care whether we’re playing in the IPL or the PSL. What’s important is to be safe, or try to be as safe as possible. I mean, you’re never completely safe anywhere in the world, but you try to protect your family and kids as much as you can,” Moeen Ali said on the Beard Before Wicket podcast.
He added that it felt strange being in the middle of the situation, even though he wasn’t directly involved. “It’s crazy to be… not directly in the middle of it, because …you don’t experience anything firsthand, but it’s happening around you, just around the corner. Obviously, having a Pakistani background and being in India while this is happening…” Ali said, reflecting on his Pakistani background.
Ali left India before the tournament was suspended. He left on May 8, and the tournament was paused on May 9.
“I was just out (of the tournament) before they even cancelled it, to be honest. To be honest, I wasn’t well, so I was really sick at the same time. So I reckon I had some viral thing or whatever it was. I was really, really bad, and I was just out. I was just making sure, like I was fit enough to just get out of there,” Ali added.
Moeen Ali was impressed by how well the KKR management took care of the players.
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“They looked after us really well. They were like, ‘Whatever you need, we’ll try and support you as much as we can. So they were amazing in that regard – but it was crazy, man,” Ali said.
KKR Management’s Support During Crisis
KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan is known for being very welcoming to all the players and staff, and once again, his team handled the situation very well.
Ali also shared his thoughts on the India-Pakistan conflict, believing it was used to distract people from what’s happening in Israel and Gaza.
“I’m a bit of a conspiracy theorist. I think it was more of a distraction, or it was more like an America-versus-China situation in terms of weapons, just to see what’s happening a little bit. There are a lot of theories about these things. I think it’s a distraction from what’s actually happening in Israel and Gaza,” Ali said.
Ali feels the tensions between India and Pakistan will eventually settle, and he is happy that IPL 2025 has resumed.
Ali believes the India-Pakistan conflict was used as a distraction from the ongoing situation in Israel and Gaza.
“I’m a bit of a conspiracy theorist. I think it was more of a distraction, or it was more like an America-versus-China situation in terms of weapons, just to see what’s happening a little bit. There are a lot of theories about these things. I think it’s a distraction from what’s actually happening in Israel and Gaza,” Ali said.
He also feels that the tensions between India and Pakistan will eventually settle and is happy that IPL 2025 resumed.
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