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Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh isn't fully satisfied with the Men in Blue's 15-member squad that was picked by the selection committee for Asia Cup 2025. Harbhajan feels that one player that should have been included in the squad is pacer Mohammed Siraj, who was sensational with the ball against England in the recently-concluded Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
Siraj was the highest wicket-taker of the five-match Test series, racking up a total of 23 scalps in 9 innings. However, despite this, the selectors decided to choose the pace trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana for the Asia Cup. Notably, Siraj's last appearance for India in the shortest format was against South Africa in the final of the 2024 T20 World Cup. After Gautam Gambhir took over, the pacer shifted his focus mostly towards red-ball cricket and has been sidelined from T20Is.
Harbhajan feels that Siraj would have strengthened the Indian team even more especially in the bowling department.
“I feel that Siraj’s name should have been included as well. Siraj bowled very well in the recent series. Yes, he did a lot of bowling in England, but he also got adequate rest. So he could have been included. If he had been taken, the team would have looked even stronger. The bowling unit would have seemed stronger. I feel that the “X-factor” that Siraj brings might be somewhat missed," Harbhajan said on his YouTube channel.
Harbhajan believes that Shreyas deserved a place too
The former spinner also shared his views on Shreyas Iyer's omission from the squad for the upcoming continental tournament. Harbhajan stated that he was left surprised with the batter's name not making the cut and added that he had done everything possible to earn his place in the squad, but was still not rewarded.
“I had hoped he (Shreyas Iyer) would get a place in the team. He scored a lot of runs, played in the IPL final, and was in very good form. I thought his name could have been there. As for whose spot he would take, you have to see whose place it would have been. When someone has to be included or left out, a spot is made. But I did not see Shreyas Iyer’s name there, which surprised me a little," Harbhajan stated.
Meanwhile, Asia Cup 2025 is set to commence from September 9. India have been drawn in Group A and will kick-off their campaign with the clash against UAE on September 10 before facing-off against arch-rivals Pakistan on September 14. They will cap off their group stage with the match against Oman on September 19.
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