NEW DELHI: India’s squad for the ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled to begin on February 19 in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, and for three-match ODI series against England was announced on Saturday.
One of the major debating points was the omission of right-arm seamer Mohammed Siraj. Despite being a regular in India’s recent campaigns, Siraj has been left out of the 15-member squad, which includes Yashasvi Jaiswal earning his maiden ODI call-up.
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Captain Rohit Sharma explained the decision, citing the team’s need for specific skill sets in the bowling department.
“We only wanted three seamers. It’s unfortunate that Siraj has to miss out. His effectiveness comes down when he’s not bowling with the new ball. We prioritised bowlers who can deliver with the new ball, be effective in the middle overs, and at the back end. With Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Arshdeep Singh, we believe we have the right balance,” Rohit said, in a presser to announce the squad in Mumbai.
Adding to the intrigue, chief selector Ajit Agarkar revealed uncertainty around Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness, with the pacer potentially unavailable for the first two ODIs of the preceding England series. Harshit Rana has been named as a temporary replacement.
“We’re awaiting updates on Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness from the BCCI medical team, expected in early February,” Agarkar stated.
Rohit reiterated the selection focus on versatility: “With Bumrah’s status unclear, we needed bowlers who can perform across phases. Unfortunately, Siraj is more dependent on the new ball, which limits our options.”
Siraj’s exclusion, alongside that of Sanju Samson, has raised eyebrows among fans and analysts, given Siraj’s consistent performances for India. The decision underscores India’s intent to focus on specific roles as they aim for success in the upcoming Champions Trophy.
India’s squad for ICC Champions Trophy & England ODIs
Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wk), KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh
* Harshit Rana has been chosen for the ODI series against England, with Bumrah’s fitness concerns in mind.
