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Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj was shockingly left out of India’s 15-member squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, despite his remarkable performances in recent years. Instead, the Indian selectors opted for Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Arshdeep Singh as the pace-bowling trio for the marquee event. However, with fitness concerns surrounding Bumrah and Shami, questions are being raised about Siraj potentially finding his way back into the squad.
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Aakash Chopra Predicts Siraj’s Inclusion
Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra strongly believes that Mohammed Siraj will eventually represent India in the Champions Trophy. Addressing the possibility of injuries to either Bumrah or Shami, Chopra said:
“Forget about Shami, I don’t even know about Bumrah. From the team we’ve picked, there’s one pacer who is fit and available – Arshdeep Singh. I have no idea about the other two. If even one of those two gets ruled out, Siraj automatically makes it into the side. I think Siraj should clean the dirt off the spikes of his shoes and stay fully ready because I feel he might end up playing in the Champions Trophy.”
Chopra Highlights Fitness Concerns
Explaining his rationale, Chopra cited the uncertainty surrounding Bumrah’s and Shami’s fitness:
“Shami hasn’t played a single match, and Bumrah might play just one ODI. We’ve seen in the past that Bumrah has been picked for major tournaments but was later ruled out due to injury concerns. Information about their current fitness isn’t coming through clearly. This makes Siraj the natural replacement if either of them is unavailable.”
Also Check: BCCI Secrets Spilled!!! Rohit Sharma Lodged Complaint Against Gavaskar For Criticising Him – Reports.
Rohit Sharma Explains Siraj’s Exclusion
India skipper Rohit Sharma addressed Siraj’s omission during the squad announcement, explaining the decision to rely on spinners and limited pacers. He also hinted at contingency plans if Bumrah’s fitness remains uncertain:
“We are not sure if Jasprit Bumrah will play or not. Hence, we wanted someone who could bowl with both the new ball and the old ball. That’s why we picked Arshdeep Singh, because of his abilities in the backend. Siraj’s effectiveness comes down if he doesn’t use the new ball. It’s unfortunate if he misses out.”
Will Siraj Get His Opportunity?
While Siraj’s exclusion has raised eyebrows, his consistent performances and readiness make him a strong contender to step in if needed. India’s pace attack has relied heavily on fitness-dependent players like Bumrah and Shami, and Siraj’s ability to deliver in high-pressure situations could prove invaluable.
As Chopra rightly stated, “Siraj should stay fully ready.” With the Champions Trophy set to test India’s bench strength, fans might just see Siraj donning the Indian jersey sooner than expected.
Do you think Mohammed Siraj should have been included in the initial squad? Let us know your thoughts!
