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Team India pacer Mohammed Siraj joked that it’s impossible to say no when captain Suryakumar Yadav calls, after being drafted as a last-minute injury replacement for the 2026 T20 World Cup. Siraj was immediately drafted into the playing XI for the opening match following Harshit Rana’s knee injury and Jasprit Bumrah’s illness.
With India short on frontline seamers, Siraj stepped up against the USA at Wankhede Stadium and delivered a brilliant performance, taking 3 wickets for 29 runs to help India secure a 29-run victory.
Mohammed Siraj on inclusion in India's T20 World Cup 2026 squad
Siraj had been one of the clear favourites to join the squad after Rana’s injury, which came during a warm-up game against South Africa just days before the group stage began. BCCI shared a video where Mohammed Siraj thanked god for his inclusion in the T20 World Cup 2026 squad.
"Surya bhai ne bola aane ka, toh aane ka (If brother Surya tells you to come to the team, you have to come). I actually last met Surya in the IPL, and after that I never got the chance to meet hm. I never thought I will play this World Cup, because last year I was a champion. After that, I was not a part of the team because the same players from the 2024 World Cup were there," Mohammed Siraj said
"But no one can change what god writes. So, I got in the team, played today's match, and also performed well. So, how much ever I thank god, it is less. Now, we have to carry this momentum," he added.
ALSO READ: T20 World Cup 2026: Axar Patel explains why India’s early collapse vs USA was ‘important’
India's upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 clash
After defeating the USA in their T20 World Cup 2026 tournament opener, defending champions India will now face Namibia in their second group stage clash which is scheduled to take place on February 12 at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
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