KKR's Moeen Ali Recalls His Family's Fright During Operation Sindoor in PoK

Kolkata Knight Riders all-rounder Moeen Ali recently revealed very tightly held moments when India conducted Operation Sindoor. It was a military operation which was in retaliation for an attack by terrorists in Pahalgam. Moeen's parents were in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, or PoK, at that time, very near the area where the operations were taking place. This made the entire episode very frightening for his family and him. The Indian military had conducted surgical strikes on terrorist camps within PoK and Pakistan. Due to this war between India and Pakistan, the Indian Premier League, or season of IPL 2025, was suspended for a temporary period. Several foreign players, including Moeen Ali, decided against going back to India as soon as the IPL resumed after the cessation of hostility was announced. Moeen disclosed that his parents were in PoK at the time of commencement of the military operation, which caused a lot of tension for him.

Moeen discussed this on the Beard Before Wicket podcast in which he mentioned his parents were only an hour from the areas of the strike. He mentioned it was a quite mad time and his parents were able to secure the only flights leaving PoK that day. He was glad they were able to escape but confessed that the whole experience was wild and terrifying.

The incident hit several foreign players hard and they chose to quit India as the stand between the two nations became more intense. Moeen clarified that the attacks in Kashmir occurred initially, and then the situation rapidly intensified. For the players on the field, it seemed like being in the midst of a war zone despite not hearing directly the sound of missile explosions or bombings. All of a sudden, they were rushing to secure means to exit the nation and ensure that their families were safe. It was also challenging since their families back home were anxious about them as well, and Moeen added that he wanted to provide them with peace of mind.

During that period, most players were not certain how intense the conflict would get. Moeen explained that some felt this would pass just like it had in the past. Others were convinced there could be a war or revenge. The ambiguity made it immensely hard to remain calm.

Moeen further explained how disorienting it was to find authentic information due to gossips and misinformation. This made it difficult to believe what the news channels and journalists were reporting. The most concerning aspect for him and other players was the possibility that flights might be canceled, leaving them stranded in India. This made the rush to exit more pressing and stressful. Moeen explained that for the local Indian or Pakistani cricketers trapped in the area, it was likely even more difficult since they could not simply depart like some foreign players. They never knew what the next few days would be like.

The season of the IPL 2025 was affected by numerous challenges following these occurrences. The war-like conditions compelled the organizers to suspend the matches temporarily. Most overseas players also decided to head back to their respective countries until such time that the area is less dangerous. Moeen Ali, who played for Kolkata Knight Riders, also refused to return to India immediately after the ceasefire despite the resumption of the tournament. His move was based on the safety factor as well as the experience of having his family members close to war-torn areas during Operation Sindoor.

This episode is an example of how political tensions and military strikes can affect the sports world in unusual manners. Cricket, a sport that would normally unite people, was disturbed by genuine fears of war and violence. Moeen's experience provides a window into what players endure outside of the games when there are rising tensions between nations. To be so close to harm while attempting to concentrate on the cricket is a challenge that few fans appreciate.

In the end Moeen Ali’s experience during Operation Sindoor shows the human side of these conflicts. Behind the headlines and news reports are families worried about their loved ones caught in difficult situations. Moeen’s relief that his parents managed to fly out safely is a reminder that even famous sports stars face moments of real fear. The IPL may have brought entertainment and excitement but it was also deeply affected by the realities of geopolitics.

As tensions between India and Pakistan flare up from time to time it is important to remember how many people’s lives get disrupted including athletes who work far from home. Moeen Ali’s story of anxiety and hope during one of the most tense moments in recent IPL history gives us a new perspective. His words make us appreciate the struggles off the field and that safety and family are always the priority regardless of what occurs on the field.