New Delhi: India’s star pacer Mohammed Siraj has opened up about not being selected for the 2025 Champions Trophy. The fast bowler, who struggled with form ahead of the tournament, was ultimately excluded from the squad. Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, and Harshit Rana were the pacers picked by the selectors. Despite the setback, India went on to win the title, defeating New Zealand in the final and maintaining an unbeaten record throughout the tournament.
Reflecting on his omission, Siraj was candid in admitting that it was a tough moment for him. He explained that missing out on such a prestigious event was particularly challenging for a professional cricketer. “For any player, an ICC event is incredibly significant. It’s a dream to play and perform in one. I’ve always wanted to play in the Champions Trophy and contribute to India’s success. But perhaps it wasn’t meant to be. Initially, it was difficult to come to terms with it, but I found peace by focusing on my improvement and performance. That’s what has kept me motivated,” Siraj said in an interview with Cricbuzz.
The 29-year-old pacer also shared how he channeled his frustration into improving his fitness. “I started focusing on my fitness, especially running. I reached out to Soham Bhai (trainer Soham Desai), who developed a fitness program for me. Soham Bhai has been an important pillar of support throughout my career. When I first met him in 2018, I wasn’t sure about his methods, but he explained that achieving big things requires sacrifices. I trusted his advice, and now he knows my body better than I do,” Siraj added.
Having not played limited-overs cricket for India in the last eight months, Siraj’s last white-ball appearance was in August 2024 during an ODI against Sri Lanka. He was part of India’s Test squad for their Australia tour earlier this year, which concluded in January.
Currently, Siraj is featuring for Gujarat Titans in the 2025 Indian Premier League. He has been in fine form, taking 11 wickets in seven matches, with an economy rate of 8.96.
