Former England all-rounder Moeen Ali has never been one to shy away from telling it like it is. In an exclusive interview with The Indian Express, the 36-year-old, currently featuring for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2025, shared his candid views on the hot-button topic surrounding the retirement of Indian cricket’s ageing legends.
As Indian cricket transitions toward a younger core, questions about the future of icons like Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni are becoming louder. Moeen believes that clinging to legacy or reputation is not enough—and players should step aside if they’re no longer contributing at the highest level.
“I definitely think you shouldn’t just hold on because you’re a big name or you have a massive following,” Moeen said. “And it should never be your own personal goals. Don’t just hold on for the sake of holding on in a selfish way.”
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The Indian Dilemma: Rohit & Dhoni in Spotlight
While Virat Kohli has silenced critics with sensational form in both the Champions Trophy and IPL 2025, the same can’t be said for his former captain and long-time teammate Rohit Sharma. Despite a strong 50 in the Champions Trophy final, Rohit’s performances for Mumbai Indians this season have been underwhelming—registering scores of 0, 8, 13, and 17 in four games.
Meanwhile, MS Dhoni, who turned 43 this year, remains a colossal figure in Indian cricket but is clearly past his prime. Though still cherished for his legacy and leadership, Dhoni’s impact with the bat for Chennai Super Kings has waned.
Moeen: “Be Honest With Yourself”
According to Moeen, players in their late 30s or 40s should make an honest assessment of their value to the team:
“If you’re not performing and you’re at that age where you’re a bit older and there’s younger players coming through… then you should be a bit more realistic and honest with yourself,” Moeen stated.
He emphasized that being a star player in the past doesn’t guarantee a spot in the present if performance isn’t backing it up. Self-awareness, Moeen believes, is critical, especially when representing a national side.
The Franchise vs International Cricket Divide
Moeen, who retired from international cricket after the T20 World Cup last year but continues to play in franchise leagues, drew a sharp contrast between international and franchise commitments.
“Franchise cricket is one thing—it’s like a privately owned enterprise. You can continue playing if the franchise is fine with it. And it is T20. But when you’re representing a country… the self-reflection should be harder,” he explained.
Using his own example, Moeen added:
“If England was a franchise, I would have carried on playing because I know I am capable. But because it’s England and it’s international cricket… I retired to make way.”
A Message for the Indian Greats?
While Moeen didn’t name anyone directly, the timing and context of his comments leave little to the imagination. His message resonates loud and clear: legacy should not be an excuse for underperformance.
As India builds toward a new era with emerging talents knocking on the door, the former England all-rounder’s words will likely add more fuel to the ongoing debate around the retirement timelines of Indian cricket’s elder statesmen.
