New Delhi: In a bold move, Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj has responded to the claims made by captain Rohit Sharma regarding his exclusion from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad. Siraj, known for his prowess with both new and old balls, has been a mainstay in the Indian team across formats. However, his omission from the Champions Trophy squad in favor of Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana raised eyebrows, especially given Jasprit Bumrah’s injury.
Rohit Sharma had cited Siraj’s inability to perform effectively with the old ball as a significant reason for his exclusion. However, Siraj has countered these claims with impressive statistics, highlighting that he has taken the most wickets with the old ball among the world’s ten fastest bowlers in the past year. His economy rate also stands out as a testament to his skill.
As Siraj prepares for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 with his new team, Gujarat Titans, he aims to prove himself once again. After being released by Royal Challengers Bangalore, Siraj was picked up by the Titans for a substantial amount, signaling his value in the cricketing world. His focus is now on improving his skills with both new and old balls, as well as perfecting slower balls and yorkers.
Siraj’s last ODI appearance was in July 2024 against Sri Lanka, and he has been working diligently on his fitness and bowling skills during his recent break from competitive cricket. With the IPL season approaching, he is determined to help the Gujarat Titans secure another title and potentially pave his way back into the Indian national team for future tournaments like the England tour and the Asia Cup.
