Moeen Ali had a bad winter, but that didn’t mean he was a bad player, the off-spinner insisted after returning 5/63 to stifle India on Friday, 31 August.
India looked well on course to topple England’s first innings 246, with Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara adding 92 for the third wicket. But Ali then dismissed all of Ajinkya Rahane (11), Rishabh Pant (0), Hardik Pandya (4), R Ashwin (1) and Mohammed Shami (0) to leave the visitors reeling at 195/8.
For Ali, it was a return of the good times, much needed after his travails in Australia during the Ashes, when he returned just five wickets in as many matches.
“It is about believing you are not a bad player after one bad winter,” Ali said after play on the second day. “Many players have gone through that. For me, it was about moving on and hoping it made me a better player, a stronger character.
“It was about going out there performing for my country knowing I can do well here in England because I have done it before. Yes, it was a bad winter but I shrugged it off.”
Finding a role he is happy with has helped. “This role is my best, batting [No7] and as a second spinner. It gives me confidence and freedom, and I end up playing better.”
India recovered from Ali’s burst, with Pujara scoring an unbeaten 257-ball 132. England then ended the day at 6/0, trailing India by 21 runs, but Ali said posting the visitors a big target would be difficult on a pitch assisting bowlers.
“That will be difficult against their bowlers but we will have to fight hard to win this series here,” he said. “After my first over I thought I would be in the game throughout this Test match, which was nice.”
