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Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra questioned the way Mohammed Siraj was pushed out of the white-ball teams. He feels the India national cricket team management was too quick to label Mohammed Siraj as a player suited only for Test cricket.
After Mohammed Siraj landed in legal trouble, the former India opener feels the bowler was unfairly pushed out of the ODI and T20I setup, saying the fast bowler is not just a Test specialist and still has a lot to offer in limited-overs cricket, especially in ODIs.
Aakash Chopra slams India for turning Mohammed Siraj into a One-Format player
Until Gautam Gambhir was not part of the Indian coaching setup, Mohammed Siraj was a regular member of India's white-ball teams. The fiery paceman lost his place in the ODI and T20I squads because of the concerns over his effectiveness with the old ball.
However, luck was on Siraj's side as Harshit Rana’s injury handed him the opportunity in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, and he grabbed the chance with both hands. Chopra slammed the team management and selectors for making Siraj a one-format player.
Aakash Chopra, who recently dropped bombshell on Washington Sundar's ICC World Cup 2027 future, believes that the Hyderabad fast bowler deserved a longer run and more support in the T20I and ODI formats.
I genuinely felt that it was not right: Aakash Chopra targets Gautam Gambhir
Aakash Chopra said in a video on his YouTube channel, "Bahut jaldi humne unko one-format player bana ke choad diya" (We made him a one-format player very soon). It was prematurely decided that he could not bowl with the older ball and should be dropped."
"He was out of favor for a long time, but his fate changed, and he was picked for the T20 World Cup, where he picked up three wickets in his first match, and now he is back again in the T20 reckoning.”
The cricket pundit further noted, “There was a period when I genuinely felt that it was not right. You played him in all tests, where everyone needs workload management, but didn't think about him. Then, suddenly one day, you said he was no longer part of the ODI team, and then he was removed from T20Is as well; that was not right.”
Aakash Chopra questions Mohammed Siraj's absence as India begins 2027 World Cup preparations
Chopra also believes that Siraj should never have missed out on the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He feels the Hyderabad pacer is still one of India's strongest ODI bowlers, and he deserves his chance.
He was not convinced by the selectors’ decision to rest Siraj for the ongoing three-match ODI series against Afghanistan at home. He questioned the decision because the team has begun preparations for the upcoming ODI World Cup 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
Chopra signed off by saying, “Is his workload management a concern right now? Honestly, you and I do not have an idea who has played how much cricket and if there is any niggle. Does he actually need rest? What if he himself asked for it.”
