Moeen Ali Speaks Out on Racism in Cricket: ‘Muslims Are Not Bad’ Amid IPL 2025 Stint With KKR
IPL 2025: Veteran England all-rounder Moeen Ali is currently part of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. While awaiting his opportunity to play in the tournament, Ali has made a strong statement about racism in cricket.
Moeen Ali Addresses Racism in Cricket
Ali has openly spoken about the long-standing issue of racism in cricket, acknowledging that while progress has been made, there is still work to be done. He believes his presence in the England dressing room has helped change perceptions about Muslims.
‘The Gap Has Been Reduced’
“I think the gap has been closed—not completely, but it’s much closer than ever before, especially within the England dressing room. Many of my teammates probably never had close interactions with Muslim people before. I just hope that even one person realizes, ‘You know what, Muslims are not bad people. They are just normal, or even good people.’ There’s a lot of negativity around this topic, and my role as a Muslim is to show—not just tell—people that we are not bad,” Ali stated.
Coaching Aspirations After Retirement
Ali also shared his aspirations to step into coaching once his playing career ends. He emphasized that coaching is not just about improving players’ skills but also shaping them as individuals.
‘I Enjoy Motivating and Inspiring Others’
“I really enjoy the team environment. I love inspiring, motivating, and helping players, and I hope to see them perform well for England. Coaching is about improving people, both as players and as individuals. The most rewarding moments come when someone says, ‘My kid loves cricket because of you,’ or ‘My son or daughter is a big fan of yours.’ That means a lot to me.”
KKR’s IPL 2025 Campaign
Meanwhile, Kolkata Knight Riders had a rough start to their IPL 2025 campaign, suffering a seven-wicket defeat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). They will be looking to bounce back in their next match against Rajasthan Royals on March 26.
Stay tuned for more updates on IPL 2025 and Moeen Ali’s journey with KKR!
