As more and more international stars lined up to play the next round of Ranji Trophy from January 23, the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) is yet to get an update on Mohammed Siraj. It is reliably understood that the team management is yet to get an update on the star seamer ahead of their next game vs Himachal Pradesh at home.
“We are yet to get an update. As of now, we haven’t heard anything on him from the HCA,” says a member of the team management.
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TimesofIndia.com reached out to HCA president Jagan Mohan Rao and chairman of senior selection committee Harimohan Puruvu but didn’t get a response from both.
Mohammed Siraj wasn’t picked in the India squad for the Champions Trophy and the three ODIs vs England. The management preferred Arshdeep Singh for his effectiveness with the old ball in the seam attack also featuring Jasprit Bumrah (participation subject to fitness), Mohammed Shami and Harshit Rana (for England ODIs).
India captain Rohit Sharma explained at length why Siraj was dropped for the upcoming white-ball assignments.
“Siraj, his effectiveness comes down when he is not bowling with the new ball. It’s an unfortunate thing that he has to miss out. But, we had no option but to get the guys who can perform a certain role. I personally feel we have guys who can bowl with the new ball, bowl in the middle, and bowl at the backend. With these three bowlers, we think we can do that,” said Rohit.
Siraj featured in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia and returned with 20 wickets from the five Tests he played.
