ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Dinesh Karthik justifies Mohammed Siraj's snub, reveals Gambhir's move that'll hurt pacer
Published - 24 Jan 2025, 05:03 PM | Updated - 24 Jan 2025, 11:36 PM
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Former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has shared his thoughts on Mohammed Siraj's exclusion from India’s squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Arshdeep Singh have been picked in the pace department for the upcoming prestigious tournament.
Reacting to India’s pace attack for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Dinesh Karthik feels it was a fair selection, especially considering Arshdeep Singh’s phenomenal performance over the past couple of years. However, Karthik admitted that Siraj would have been hurt by the fact that the young pacer Harshit Rana was picked ahead of him for the upcoming ODI series.
I think it’s sad but fair: Dinesh Karthik on Mohammed Siraj's ICC Champions Trophy 2025 snub
Dinesh Karthik was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz: “I think it’s sad but fair. Who have they gone for? Bumrah, Shami, and Arshdeep, who have been phenomenal in white-ball cricket. But what would hurt him, I feel, is the fact that Harshit Rana has been picked ahead of him in the first couple of matches in the bilateral against England.”
The 30-year-old fast bowler has taken 71 wickets in 44 ODIs that he has played for the India National Cricket Team. Siraj had a remarkable year in 2023 where he had become the world’s number one ODI bowler. Even in 2024, the Hyderabad bowler was in good form with the ball, especially in Tests.
In 2024, Siraj has taken 35 wickets in 25 Tests, and he has played in all three ODIs India played last year, but he managed only 3 wickets. In T20Is last year, the fiery pacer was given a chance to play in only 2 T20Is, mostly due to his workload management, and he has taken only one wicket.
Dinesh Karthik urges Mohammed Siraj to prove he deserves better
However, the Indian pacer’s past record is impressive, and he recently shone with the ball on the Australia tour, taking 20 wickets in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Despite this, Siraj was overlooked for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, and Karthik suggested the bowler prove himself and make a strong comeback in the white-ball setup of India.
Dinesh Karthik signed off by saying, “Now, this is where Siraj will look and say, ‘Look, I think I deserve better than that, and I am going to do better than that because he has got the skills. But for the moment, for the Champions Trophy, I think it’s a fair decision on Ajit Agarkar and Rohit Sharma’s part.”
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You need a backup pacer and Mohammed Siraj could have been a good option: Irfan Pathan
Recently, former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan expressed his concern over the limited pace-bowling options in India's Champions Trophy 2025 squad. The commentator also suggested that Mohammed Siraj should have been named in the squad, especially considering Jasprit Bumrah's fitness issues.
Irfan Pathan was quoted as saying by the Indian Express: “You need a backup pacer. Siraj could have been a good option. In Dubai, playing four spinners isn’t viable. With Bumrah and Shami returning from injuries, it won’t be easy for them straight away. A pacer like Siraj would have filled that gap.
That said, we hope the selectors’ choices perform well, and we should back them. When you’ve been such a seasoned campaigner and are among India’s top 10 bowlers, you understand your body’s limits well.”
