Moeen Ali picks his all-time IPL XI; names MS Dhoni as captain

Former England all-rounder Moeen Ali has revealed his all-time Indian Premier League (IPL) XI, picking a formidable squad filled with match-winners. The 36-year-old, who has played in the IPL since 2018, announced his selections on the YouTube channel Beard Before Wicket, creating significant buzz with some surprising omissions. The team features explosive batters, world-class all-rounders, and deadly bowlers.

Solid opening pair with a power hitter at 3

Moeen has entrusted the opening slot to Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli, citing Gayle as the most dangerous T20 batter in history and Kohli as the world’s best chase master. The two have been among the most successful batters in IPL history, consistently delivering for their respective teams. At No. 3, Ali has opted for Kieron Pollard, the former Mumbai Indians (MI) all-rounder known for his destructive batting. Pollard’s ability to turn games single-handedly made him one of the greatest finishers in IPL history, and Moeen has recognized his impact by placing him in the top order.

Middle-order packed with all-rounders and MS Dhoni as captain

The middle-order is filled with powerful all-rounders. Andre Russell, Hardik Pandya, Dwayne Bravo and Ravindra Jadeja have all been included, creating a lineup full of match-winners who can contribute with both bat and ball. Russell and Pandya bring brute power, Bravo adds his finishing ability and death-bowling skills, while Jadeja provides balance with his all-round abilities. For the wicketkeeper-batter and captain slots, Moeen has gone with MS Dhoni, whom he has described as the greatest finisher in IPL history. Dhoni, who has led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to multiple IPL titles, has also been picked as the captain of the side. Moeen’s faith in Dhoni’s leadership highlights the immense respect the English all-rounder has for the former Indian captain.

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A spin wizard and lethal pacers

The bowling attack is equally star-studded. Moeen has chosen Jasprit Bumrah and Kagiso Rabada as his pace bowlers, both of whom are known for their ability to deliver under pressure. Bumrah’s accuracy in the death overs and Rabada’s wicket-taking ability make them ideal picks for the side. For the spin department, Moeen has selected Rashid Khan, widely regarded as one of the best T20 spinners of all time. Rashid’s ability to control runs and pick up crucial wickets has made him a valuable asset for every team he has played for in the IPL.

Moeen Ali’s IPL journey and current season with KKR

Moeen himself has been a valuable IPL player since making his debut in 2018. After spending four successful seasons with CSK from 2021 to 2024, he was picked up by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for INR 2 crore in the 2025 IPL Mega Auction. This marked a significant drop from his previous salary of INR 8 crore at CSK, highlighting how his market value changed in the latest auction. In IPL 2025, Moeen made his KKR debut against in Guwahati, replacing Sunil Narine, who was unavailable due to illness. His all-round ability remains an asset, and KKR will look to maximize his contributions as the season progresses.

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