Last Updated:
The former cricketer pointed to Mohammed Siraj’s best-in-the-world stats in ODIs since 2022.
Mohammed Siraj (Image: AFP)
Former India opener Aakash Chopra believes India not picking Mohammed Siraj for the 2025 Champions Trophy is a wrong decision, considering the fitness issues of the current attack and the possible conditions in the UAE.
India chose three fast bowlers — Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Arshdeep Singh — in the 15-member squad, while including three spin all-rounders and a specialist tweaker in Kuldeep Yadav.
Among the pacers, Bumrah’s participation is doubtful as he’s recovering from a back injury and Shami will make an international comeback this month after over a year on the sidelines. Harshit Rana will play at least the first two ODIs against England, with Bumrah eyeing a comeback in the third match.
“Picking only three seamers. With two having fitness-related concerns and one who’s not an ODI regular. For a tournament in late Feb/Early March at Dubai.
I would’ve picked Siraj for a spinner all-rounder,” Chopra wrote on X.
The cricketer-turned-commentator then posted a table of a stat showing the highest men’s ODI wicket-takers since 2022. The list had Siraj at number three — the best for India — with 71 wickets in 43 matches at an average of 22.97.
“Only two Indians in this list. Only one Indian fast bowler. Most ODI wickets since 01.01.2022. His name is Md. Siraj,” the post said.
Only Adam Zampa and Sandeep Lamichhane, who are both spinners, have picked more wickets than Siraj in this phase.
‘We only wanted three seamers’: Rohit Sharma
Asked about Siraj’s absence from the team, skipper Rohit Sharma said that the pacer was not effective enough without the new ball. He said his other options provided India with that versatility.
“We only wanted three seamers,” Rohit said at India’s squad announcement press conference on Saturday. “It’s unfortunate he (Siraj) has to miss out. Siraj’s effectiveness comes down when not bowling with the new ball. We have no option but we wanted guys for specific roles. We wanted guys who can bowl with the new ball, and be effective in the middle overs and at the back end. With these three boys (Shami, Harshit and Arshdeep) we can do that.”
India start their Champions Trophy campaign against Bangladesh on February 20.