Former England cricketer Moeen Ali has named former India fast bowler Ashish Nehra, rather than MS Dhoni, as the best “cricketing brain” he has worked with. Ali played for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) from 2018 to 2020, during which time Nehra was the team’s bowling coach.
Ali described a “cricketing brain” as someone who understands every aspect of the game and can provide solutions or theories for any situation. He praised Nehra for having this quality, explaining that behind Nehra’s insights lies data or evidence to support his claims. Ali specifically highlighted Nehra’s ability to create a positive team environment and effectively communicate with players and coaches.
Ali played 19 matches for RCB before joining Chennai Super Kings (CSK), where he contributed significantly during their 2021 IPL title win. In 2024, the 39-year-old announced his retirement from international cricket after representing England in 68 Tests, 138 One-Day Internationals, and 92 T20 Internationals.
During his IPL career, Ali also played for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and CSK. While he played under Dhoni at CSK, Ali later chose to join Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League instead of participating in the IPL in 2026.
Dhoni, known as “Captain Cool,” led CSK to five IPL titles and guided India to multiple World Cup victories. However, Ali believes Nehra, who has coached Gujarat Titans since their debut IPL season in 2022, is the superior strategist. Nehra’s success includes leading GT to the IPL title in 2022 and a runner-up finish in 2023.
Nehra played 17 Tests, 120 ODIs, and 27 T20Is for India, taking 44, 157, and 34 wickets respectively. His coaching career with GT has further solidified his reputation as a top cricketing mind.