Team India selections are sometimes just very unpredictable, even for some of the senior players. One series you’re in, and another one you’re out. Format really isn’t a consideration. Pacer Mohammed Siraj is in that list for sure. He was part of the T20 World Cup 2024, that won the trophy, but does not find a spot this time around.
Workload Management
In fact, his last match in the format was in July 2024. But then, on the flipside, he is there in the ODI team, but not in T20Is. One fails to understand why. Perhaps there is something that the fans can’t understand. Meanwhile, Siraj himself has defended his exclusion, citing workload management.
“I was rested from the last ODI series against South Africa because I had bowled 40 overs in the second (South Africa) Test,” Siraj said ahead of the third IND vs NZ ODI in Indore. “I haven’t been in and out. I played in Australia, and then was rested. For a fast bowler, adequate rest is very important. Been playing Test matches consistently and you end up working out a lot. You need to refuel to maintain the rhythm and focus.”
No Mohammed Siraj in T20 World Cup Squad
The 31-year-old did not stop there and even wished the team well for the upcoming tournament, that starts on Feb 7. “I played the last T20 World Cup and not this time. For a player, playing in the World Cup is a different dream — playing for your country. The team is quite good on paper and in form. My best wishes to them. Keep the trophy here.”
India squad for T20 World Cup: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Rinku Singh.
