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Former India head coach Ravi Shastri said that he was glad Mohammed Siraj was hurt after he faced snub from India's ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad. Shastri is impressed with Siraj's comeback, the way he has bowled so far for Gujarat Titans (GT) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. He feels that England batters will face problems if the trio featuring Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami are fully fit.
"I think with Siraj, Jasprit and Mohammed Shami, these three, if they are fully fit, they will give England heaps of problems. It's a quality, top-class pace attack when you get these three fit," Shastri said on the ICC Review.
"And what I like about Siraj, I'm glad he was hurt after being put out, not in the side for the Champions Trophy. That's what you want. For him to go back to the drawing board and come back the way he has, there's a spring in his stride, the pace is up there, and he means business game after game," he added.
Siraj's debut season for Titans so far
Siraj who was picked by GT for Rs 12.25 crore is one of the contenders for the purpe cap this season. The pacer has claiemd 12 wickets from eight games at an average of 23.58. His economy rate is 8.84 runs per over.
Siraj's red-ball numbers in England
Siraj has a decent record in England. He has 23 wickets from six Tests at an average of 34. He is yet to take a five-wicket haul on England soil.
Shastri cautions team management over Bumrah
Meanwhile, Shastri wants the Indian team management to be careful with Bumrah. He understands the temptation to play him in all games but wants them to exercise caution and avoid risk of another injury.
"I would be very, very careful [with Bumrah]. I would give him two Test matches at a time and then wait for the break. Ideally, make him play four. You'll be tempted to make him play five if he starts off in a great manner, but it's how his body pulls up. He should be given the first opportunity to say, ‘Yes, a little, [I am] feeling the niggle. A break would help.’ Give him that break," said the former Indian all-rounder.
After recovering from a lower back injury that he sustained in Sydney Test, he has played five games for Mumbai Indians (MI) this season. He has been economical and taken five wickets.
After the IPL 2025, the five-Test series in England will kick off India's World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 campaign. The first Test will begin on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds.
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