The cricketing world sat stunned last Thursday as Mohammed Siraj's name went missing from India's Champions Trophy squad announcement. The buzz at Mumbai's press conference quickly turned into disbelief - how could India's bowling spearhead, the man who terrorized batsmen in the Asia Cup final, finds himself watching the tournament from home? Continue reading the blog by Spinmatch cricket experts to know the in-depth details of this left out.
Picture this: Just months ago, Siraj was celebrating his sixth wicket against Sri Lanka, arms spread wide in his trademark airplane celebration. Fast forward to January 2025, and he's posting cryptic Instagram stories about "reset, restart, refocus." Cricket can be cruel sometimes, can't it?
Let's get real about why this decision has left fans scratching their heads. This is no ordinary bowler we are talking about - Siraj has since become India's bowling backbone since 2022. The numbers do the talking: 71 wickets in 43 matches, averaging just under 23. That's not good; that's elite-level stuff.
But here's the interesting part. Despite being uncomfortable at the media conference, Rohit Sharma attempted to explain the choice: "We only wanted three seamers. Siraj's effectiveness comes down when he's not bowling with the new ball." Really, captain? The same Siraj who grabbed wickets in the middle overs during the World Cup?
The replacement choice raises even more eyebrows. Coming in is Arshdeep Singh, who is, no doubt, talented, but with only eight ODI caps to his name. This is like swapping your trusted Ferrari with a promising but untested sports car on the eve of the big race.
Remember that magical spell in the Asia Cup final? 6 for 21. Siraj made the Sri Lankan batsmen look like they were playing cricket for the first time. That performance alone should have booked his ticket to the Champions Trophy 2025. Instead, he's been handed a surprise vacation.
The workload argument keeps popping up. Sure, Siraj has been bowling his heart out across formats. The recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy saw him bag 20 wickets, perhaps without his usual zip. But isn't that what rotation and rest are for? Instead of managing his workload, they've dropped him altogether.
This makes the decision all the more inexplicable than Siraj was in his very recent history. This is the bowler who topped the ICC ODI rankings a few months back. In the space from September to November 2023, every batsman of the world knew whom he was dealing with. And now? Not good enough to be even on the side.
The logic seems to center around multi-phase bowling. It begins with a new ball, then middle overs, and finally death overs. Cricket isn't just about theory; it's all about moments, occasions, and that magical spell that turns the game around. Siraj has delivered those moments time and again.
His response speaks volumes about the man. There were no angry outbursts or controversial statements. Just a simple gym photo with three words: "reset, restart, refocus." That's class, isn't it? While social media explodes with opinions, Siraj lets his Instagram story do the subtle talking.
Watch the Champions Trophy 2025 match for free with the free live cricket streaming option available on Spinmatch. He may have had an opportunity to show the selectors that they were wrong before the ODI series against England, before the Champions Trophy. That door is closed as well. Harshit Rana will be Bumrah's cover, and Siraj will wait.
And that decision will probably fire him up even more for the bigger picture. Last time someone doubted him? Came back and topped the ICC rankings. Don't be surprised if he returns with even more fire in his belly.
The pace trio of Bumrah, Shami, and Arshdeep looks good on paper. But cricket isn't played on paper, is it? You need bowlers who can change games, and who can provide breakthroughs when nothing's happening. Siraj has been that bowler for India.
For now, Indian cricket continues without its airplane celebration. But something tells me this isn't the end of the Siraj story. Champions come back stronger, and if history's taught us anything, it's to never count out Mohammed Siraj.
Time will tell if the selectors' bold gamble pays off. But one thing's certain - somewhere in Hyderabad, a fast bowler is already planning his comeback story. When you think about it, cricket is a lot like life. Sometimes you're flying high, doing your airplane celebration. Other times, you're hitting the gym, and planning your comeback. But for Siraj this is not a goodbye. Stay tuned with Spinmatch for cricket prediction tips, free live cricket streaming, match analysis, and updated player stats.
Quick Facts
Siraj's ODI record since 2022: 71 wickets in 43 matches
Best bowling figures: 6/21 vs Sri Lanka in Asia Cup 2023 final
Recent success: 20 wickets in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy
ICC ODI Rankings: World No.1 (September-November 2023)
Last ODI match: 2023 World Cup
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why was Mohammed Siraj dropped from the Champions Trophy 2025 squad? A: According to captain Rohit Sharma, the decision was based on the team's need for bowlers who can be effective across all phases of the game, not just with the new ball.
Q: What is Siraj's ODI record since 2022? A: Siraj has taken 71 wickets in 43 matches at an average of 22.97, making him India's leading ODI wicket-taker in this period.
Q: Who has replaced Siraj in the squad? A: Arshdeep Singh has been selected in place of Siraj, offering a left-arm pace option to the team.
Q: When was Siraj's last ODI appearance for India? A: His most recent appearance in ODIs was during the 2023 World Cup, where he picked up 14 wickets helping India reach the final.
Q: Will Siraj be part of the England ODI series before the Champions Trophy? A: No, Siraj has been excluded from both the Champions Trophy squad and the England ODI series squad.