Why Mohammed Siraj sits out of India's playing XI in T20 World Cup clash against Namibia? Know reason

Mohammed Siraj has been left out of India's playing XI for T20 World Cup 2026 fixture against Namibia being played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on February 12. His omission comes as a surprise to many, given his standout performance in India's campaign opener against USA. In that match at the Wankhede Stadium, Siraj was the pick of the bowlers, notching a brilliant bowling figure of 3/29 to help team comprehensively defend a total of 161 and register a 29-run win.

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Why Mohammed Siraj missed IND vs NAM clash?

The decision to bench Siraj is primarily due to the return of Jasprit Bumrah. India's pace spearhead missed the opening game of the tournament due to illness but has since recovered and rejoined the squad. After completing two days of intensive training, Bumrah has reclaimed his spot in the lineup, necessitating Siraj’s exit from the starting XI.

Siraj's stint in the tournament has been a whirlwind, as he only joined the Indian camp a day before the USA game as an injury replacement for Harshit Rana. Rana was sidelined after sustaining a knee injury during a warm-up match against South Africa. Despite the Mumbai match being Siraj's first T20I appearance since July 2024, his immediate impact wasn't enough to secure a permanent spot over a returning Bumrah.

Namibia won the toss and invited India to bat first. Here is what the captains of both teams said at the toss:

"We were looking to bat first. Very happy with it. As long as we are losing the toss and winning the game, we are fine with it. Dew is going to be a big factor, but when you go out and defend totals, it gives you confidence. Abhishek is still not fine, he will miss a game or two. Sanju comes in, similar batter, explosive. Bumrah comes in for Siraj," India captain Suryakumar Yadav said.

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Meanwhile, Namibia skipper Gerhard Erasmus, after winning the toss said:

"We are going to have a bowl. It is a very good flat cricketing surface, from a surface and dew point of view it is the right thing to do. It is about tightening our skillset. Looks like a good wicket, try and chase it in the second half. That's why we play cricket, to entertain. We have two changes."

India's Playing XI:

Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan(w), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah

Namibia's Playing XI:

Louren Steenkamp, Jan Frylinck, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Gerhard Erasmus(c), JJ Smit, Zane Green(w), Ruben Trumpelmann, Malan Kruger, Bernard Scholtz, Ben Shikongo, Max Heingo