England all-rounder Moeen Ali has decided to fly back home after the second Test in Chennai. He will miss the final two matches of the four-match Test series in Ahmedabad.
The 33-year old took eight wickets in the second Test and was England’s highest run-scorer in the second innings. He smashed 43 runs off 18 balls as England crumbled at 164.
England captain Joe Root said: “Moeen has chosen to go home. He obviously feels he wants to be with his family and we have to respect that.
“It’s been a tough tour for him. It’s come to a point where he feels he needs to get out of the bubble. I’m sure it wasn’t an easy decision. We have to respect it.
Moeen Ali had tested positive for COVID-19 when England toured Sri Lanka in January 2020.
His absence means that England can bring in off-spinner Dom Bess back in the playing XI. India and England will now move to Ahmedabad to play the next two Test matches of the series. The third Test will be a day-night fixture, only the second pink-ball Test in India.