Siraj Likely First to Be Left

According to Aakash Chopra, right-arm bowler Mohammed Siraj is the first player left out of India’s white-ball selections for the upcoming three-match ODI series against England. The former India opener, however, predicted that Siraj would soon be wearing the blue jersey.

Siraj was first included to India’s T20I squads for the series against England and Ireland. However, Prasidh Krishna assumed his position after the selectors decided to give him a rest.

“We have secretly sidelined him. We did it first in ODIs, claiming he was unable to bowl with the old ball. He is still out of T20 cricket, despite having played in the World Cup. When queried on his YouTube channel about Siraj’s absence from India’s white-ball setup, Chopra answered, “He came and took three wickets on the first day.”

“He almost won Player of the Match that day. He is no longer playing in One-Day Internationals. He appears to have been sidelined a little. There is a small lack of clarity. He is the first man left out, but I believe he will be part of the Indian team in the future,” he continued.

“He is the kind of player you won’t be able to keep away for long” is how Aakash Chopra characterised Mohammed Siraj, the Hyderabad spinner who was left out of the ODI squad for the matches against England

Chopra underlined how India’s fast-bowling department is always being cut and modified. Former cricket player and expert supports Siraj’s return to the squad, stating that he is a player who cannot be kept away for long. There is so much constant churning in fast bowling that anyone who isn’t there today will be there tomorrow,” he explained.

Chopra indicated that the experienced seamer will return to the 50-over squads for the 2027 ODI World Cup, despite his uncertainty over Siraj’s future in the T20 system.

“There is one thing for certain. The Indian team believes that if something goes wrong, Siraj will be fit and ready to play, and he would give his all when he takes the pitch. I think Siraj will return. His name will appear in ODI cricket. I’m not sure about T20Is, but ODIs, and the World Cup, he’ll be there,” Chopra said.