IND vs ENG: Root made 'honest mistake' over departure comments, says Moeen Ali

Ali was part of the team that lost the second Test against India in Chennai last week, but left the team post that game and returned home.

Ali will not be a part of the remaining two Tests against India at Ahmedabad- REUTERS

England all-rounder Moeen Ali said skipper Joe Root had made an "honest mistake" by saying the spinner had chosen to return home midway through the India test series.

"I know him really well and it was an honest mistake. It was pretty much sorted straight away.

"I think some people can make it a bigger thing than it is," Moeen told Sky Sports.

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Coach Chris Silverwood apologised for the confusion surrounding his departure last week, saying selectors had decided beforehand Moeen would be granted leave before the final two tests to escape life in the bio-secure bubble as part of their rotation policy.

Moeen took eight wickets and scored 49 runs in the second test in Chennai which India won by 317 runs to level the four-match series 1-1.