In what came as a last-minute development before India's first ODI match against the West Indies, Mohammed Siraj flew back to India and will miss the three-match 50-over series against the Men in Maroon. Siraj flew back with other Indian players who were part of the Test squad but not the 50-over squad. The main reason why Siraj will miss the ODI series is that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) wants the Indian pacer to take a break and remain fit and fresh for the upcoming series and competitions.
Mohammed Shami was earlier rested from the entirety of the West Indies tour, and in his absence, Siraj was tasked to lead India's bowling attack. The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) fast bowler starred in his role during the recently-concluded Test series between India and West Indies. The right-arm pacer bagged nine wickets in two matches, including a five-wicket haul in the 2nd Test, and was awarded the Man of the Series award.
Siraj has played continuously since the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. After representing RCB in the cash-rich competition, Siraj was part of India's World Test Championship (WTC) final team before flying to the Caribbean for the two-match red-ball series.
As of now, no replacement has been named for Siraj. India have four outright fast bowlers in their ODI squad - Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadkat, Mukesh Kumar and Umran Malik - excluding fast-bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya.
The fitness of Indian cricketers has been in question in the last couple of years with several marquee players forced to miss major matches due to injury. With the 2023 Asia Cup around the corner and the box-office 2023 ODI World Cup scheduled to start on October 5, the BCCI and the Indian team management would want all the key players free from injury and in top shape.
India's squad: Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Umran Malik, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jaydev Unadkat, Mukesh Kumar, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
Rohit Sharma drops major hint on Jasprit Bumrah's return to Indian squad, says '...he plays before the World Cup'
Blockbuster India vs Pakistan 2023 ODI World Cup match set to be rescheduled after security agencies advise to BCCI: Report
