Mohammed Siraj was left out from India’s Champions Trophy 2025 squad led by Rohit Sharma. (Reuters)
India pacer Mohammed Siraj was a surprise omission from the 15-member Champions Trophy squad unveiled in Mumbai on Saturday as senior pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami were named alongside left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh.
The 30-year-old Siraj who has picked up 71 wickets in only 44 appearances over the years was one of India’s main pace workhorses in the format over the last three years. Siraj powered India to the Asia Cup win in 2023 after ripping through Sri Lanka in the final with career-best figures of 6/21 and followed it with 14 wickets in the ODI World Cup at home.
Despite shepherding the attack in the absence of Bumrah and Shami who is marking a return to the fold for the first time since the last World Cup, Siraj was snubbed for left-armer Arshdeep who has only played eight ODIs thus far. Besides the trio, Hardik Pandya will be India’s pace-bowling all-round option for the Champions Trophy matches in Dubai.
With questions over Bumrah’s fitness, captain Rohit Sharma said it was imperative that they brought variety into the pace attack while also making up a makeshift option to cover for Bumrah’s strengths.
“We are not sure if Jasprit Bumrah will play or not. Hence, we wanted someone who can bowl with the new ball and the old one. That is why, we have picked Arshdeep Singh, because of his abilities in the backend. Siraj’s effectiveness comes down if he doesn’t use the new ball. It’s unfortunate if he misses out,” Rohit said in the press conference alongside chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar.
Siraj did not make the cut for the England ODIs too, with seamer Harshit Rana taking up the slot left open by Bumrah.
India’s ODI squad for Champions Trophy 2025 and series against England: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah*, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja.
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