Chennai all-rounder Moeen Ali urged his new Indian T20 League team to remove the logo of the alcohol brand from his jersey ahead of the 2021 season, and the three-time winners have agreed to his request.
The 33-year-old is a practising Muslim and his beliefs forbid him from consuming alcohol. The Englishman has been quite vocal about it in the past too and has always refrained himself from wearing any kit that promotes alcohol, be it for England or any other domestic he has played for. The England cricket team respect the culture and they too refrain from spraying champagne during trophy celebrations.
As far as Chennai are concerned, they have the logo of SNJ Distilleries, which is a liquor manufacturer, on their shirt, and the franchise has agreed to remove the logo from his matchday shirts. Moeen Ali was bought for a whopping price tag of INR 7 crore during the mini-auction in February after being released by Virat Kohli's team Bangalore.
He has played 19 matches in the Indian T20 League during his career, scoring 309 runs and accumulating 10 wickets. After being picked by the team, Ali commented that he was excited to play under the former captain of the Indian cricket team, saying that it is something 'on every player's wish list'.
"I've spoken to players who have played under MS and they tell me how he improves their game. I believe a great captain does that," Moeen was quoted as saying by the CSK website.
"I think it's something on every player's wish list to play under MS. I think it's the confidence and the clarity he gives people. It's exciting," he added.
The three-time champions will open their 2021 Indian T20 League season against Team Delhi on April 10 at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai.
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Christiaan Kotze
