In a season filled with hope and uncertainty, Mohammed Siraj, the pace sensation of Indian cricket, is grappling with the harsh reality of being excluded from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad. Despite being one of the finest bowlers in recent years, his omission has sparked considerable debate among fans and analysts alike.
India, led by captain Rohit Sharma, has recently emerged victorious in the Champions Trophy, defeating New Zealand in the final. Yet, the absence of Siraj from the squad—particularly when Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out due to injury—has raised eyebrows. The selectors favored Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, leaving many questioning the decision.
Rohit Sharma has provided insight into the rationale behind the selection, citing Siraj's 'ineffectiveness' with the old ball as a significant factor. “Siraj's effectiveness comes down a little bit if he’s not going to take the new ball. We discussed it at length and we are only taking three seamers there because we wanted all the all-rounders with us,” Rohit stated during the squad announcement press conference.
However, Siraj responded firmly to these claims, armed with his statistics. At a press conference before the Indian Premier League (IPL) season, he asserted, “I have taken the most wickets with the old ball in the past year among the world’s ten fastest bowlers. My economy rate is also low. The numbers speak for themselves. I have performed well with both the new and old ball.” His confidence is underscored by his recent performance, even though he faced a dip in form over the past six months.
The 2025 IPL season marks a new beginning for Siraj, who will play for the Gujarat Titans. After being released by the Royal Challengers Bangalore prior to the auction, he was picked up as a replacement for Mohammed Shami. In preparation for the season, he has focused on his fitness and bowling skills, emphasizing the importance of perfecting both new and old ball techniques, including slower balls and yorkers.
“Now that I’ve had some time off, I’ve been working on my fitness and bowling,” he explained. “I’ve been practicing bowling with new and old balls, and I wanted to work on my slower balls and yorkers. Let’s see how it goes in this IPL.”
With the IPL just around the corner, Siraj is determined to contribute to the Gujarat Titans' campaign and help them secure another title. They kick off their season against the Punjab Kings on March 25. Siraj expressed excitement about working under coach Ashish Nehra, noting, “Ashu bhai has done so much for Indian cricket as a fast bowler; he was a real match-winner. I want to learn from him to improve my bowling.”
While Siraj acknowledges the looming challenges of upcoming tournaments, such as the England tour and the Asia Cup, his primary focus remains on the IPL. “Yeah, as a player, it remains in the back of your mind that there is a tour of England and the Asia Cup, but I don’t really seriously think about it, as my focus is on IPL and doing well for Gujarat Titans.”
The cricketing world is watching closely as Siraj prepares for the IPL, eager to see how he channels his frustration over the Champions Trophy omission into performance on the field. As the season progresses, he aims to regain his place in the national team by delivering stellar performances for his IPL franchise.
The path ahead may be challenging, but with his determination and focus, Siraj is poised to make an impactful return to form. His journey this IPL season will certainly be a narrative to follow, as he seeks redemption and strives to help the Gujarat Titans reclaim their title.
