ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Mohammed Siraj's axing shocks Aakash Chopra: 'No one knows about Bumrah, Shami's fitness'
Published - 19 Jan 2025, 02:05 PM | Updated - 19 Jan 2025, 02:06 PM
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Former India National Cricket Team player Aakash Chopra lashed out at Rohit Sharma and Ajit Agarkar for not picking Mohammed Siraj in the Indian team for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He said that his exclusion was very surprising because he hadn't done anything wrong.
India National Cricket Team named the 15-member squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on Saturday (18th January). While most of the players retained their place, in what was a big shock Mohammed Siraj was dropped from the team.
India pick Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Arshdeep Singh in the CT squad; Mohammed Siraj dropped
Mohammed Siraj, who has been a regular member of the India National Cricket Team in all three formats, faced a snub as the team management went on to pick just three seamers in the team in Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Arshdeep Singh along with Harshit Rana, who is the backup.
Mohammed Siraj, who has a decent record in the ODIs and also became the No.1 ranked bowler in 2023, was dropped as Rohit Sharma and Ajit Agarkar mentioned that they picked Arshdeep Singh over him because they wanted someone to bowl with a new ball and the death. The captain mentioned that Siraj becomes ineffective when he doesn't take the new ball.
Harshit Rana is also ahead in the ODI queue ahead of Siraj, which is very surprising - Aakash Chopra
While talking about the omission, Aakash Chopra pointed out there is no certainty over the fitness of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj has been dropped, who hasn't done anything wrong. He stressed that the team could've picked one less spinner and touted Harshit Rana's selection in the England series over Siraj as surprising. Speaking in a video posted on his YouTube channel, he said:
"No one knows about Jasprit Bumrah's fitness. No one knows about Mohammed Shami's fitness. Maybe he is fit, but no one knows how his form is going to be. Arshdeep has been named in the squad, and there is no place for Mohammed Siraj.
"He hasn't done so much wrong that he is not even featured in the squad. I feel for DSP. Siraj, I am feeling for you. Siraj could have been picked. There could have been one lesser spinner. Harshit Rana is also ahead in the ODI queue ahead of Siraj, which is very surprising."
There are just three fast bowlers, and that is big news for me - Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra further added that he was left amazed by the decision of the team to pick just three fast bowlers. He pointed out that with just three seamers in the squad, the management has decided that they will play three spinners in the XI. He explained:
"There are just three fast bowlers, and that is big news for me. When you pick three pacers, you will only play 2 fast bowlers. If you wanted to play three seamers, you would have picked four in your squad," said Chopra.
"It means that you have decided to play three spinners. You have played your hand before anything has even started."
In the 44 ODIs that he has played Siraj has taken 71 wickets in 44 matches. He was also a part of India's 2023 World Cup campaign, where Rohit Sharma and co managed to reach the final.
