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Following a tough tour of Australia, Mohammed Siraj did not find a place in the ODI squad for the England series at home. He did not make it to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad as the selectors picked a spin-heavy lineup for Dubai. While Siraj admitted that he was affected by the snub, he has revealed the communication from then captain Rohit Sharma on why he wasn’t picked. Rohit did not want Siraj to spend time on bench as spinners would play a major role.
“We played the Champions Trophy in Dubai, there was heat, and we needed more spinners there, that’s why I wasn’t picked. Rohit (Sharma) bhai told me that most of the bowling would be done by spinners and he didn’t want me to go there and just sit on the bench. He told me to spend time with family, practise and work on my fitness,” Siraj told Indian Express.
While Siraj recently returned to the ODI squad for Australia tour in the absence of a rested Jasprit Bumrah, he is not an all-format bowler for Team India currently. However, he is looking for a chance to prove that he can excel across formats.
“I’m 200 per cent confident of doing well in all three formats when given a chance,” the in-form pacer said.
Siraj also opened up about the T20 Asia Cup 2025 snub. He wasn’t picked as India went for spin-heavy attack once again for UAE conditions and it paid off. The 31-year-old looked at it as an opportunity to rest.
“The Asia Cup was right after we had returned from the five Tests in England, so it was an opportunity to rest a bit,” he said.
When did Siraj last play in ODIs and T20Is?
Siraj's last ODI and T20I appearance was over an year ago on Sri Lanka tour. In his previous ODI appearance, he conceded 78 runs from nine overs and claimed one wicket. In his previous T20I appearance, he was economical, conceding 11 runs from three overs but did not take a wicket.
Siraj’s ODI record against Australia
Siraj will have a point to prove in Australia. He played one ODI on Australian soil in 2019 and conceded 76 runs from his quota of 10 overs. He does not have an impressive overall ODI record against Australia, taking eight wickets from seven appearances at an average of 39.75.
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