Ali set to depart after Kings XI game

All-rounder Moeen Ali will be bidding goodbye to Royal Challengers Bangalore for the season after the game against Kings XI Punjab on Wednesday to join his England mates for the World Cup preparatory camp.

While it has been disastrous run — teamwise — for RCB, Ali has done well personally, scoring 216 runs with two fifties and bagging 5 wickets in 10 games. In his parting address to the media on Tuesday, Ali agreed its not ideal to leave a franchise midway but felt World Cup is an extremely important event and a strong preparation is essential.

“It's not ideal, obviously,” said Ali. “The camp is very important. I think it's worse when there's three games to go, that there's not much cricket left and you always think, 'I could've played those three games.' If there was 6, 7 games, it’s a little more understandable. But it's a small window and knowing that there could be a chance of going through (to play-offs) if we win all our games, then you miss out on a potential semifinal and stuff.

“It's also difficult to leave a team, especially when I'm in a bit of form and I want to keep going in the IPL, trying to improve my game. I feel like I'm a big part of the boys and I'll miss them. It's a shame but there's obviously the World Cup which is very important as well.”

Ali also felt playing in IPL is refreshing after being committed to the country for most of the year. “I feel very good, I needed to come and play the IPL. After a long winter with England, and after you play for a team for a long time you start taking things for granted a little bit. So coming here was refreshing for me to try and improve my game. There is a lot of time you can spend in the nets and improve your game, which is one of the best things about the IPL for foreign players.

“The good thing about the IPL is, you’re playing for England so much that when you come to the IPL it is a different environment, different people, it just refreshes everything for me. I'm looking forward to going back now, looking forward to playing against Pakistan and then the World Cup. It just keeps things exciting. I like to keep playing. Career is very short, so too much of a break is not great for me. I want to enjoy and be part of everything and all the success the game can give.”