ICC World Cup 2023: Mohammed Siraj Ignored As Mohammad Kaif Picks India Playing XI For WC

Former India National Cricket Team batter Mohammad Kaif recently picked his India playing XI for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 and the premier pacer Mohammed Siraj was not selected in his team.

The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup is set to be held from October 5 to November 19. The Men In Blue will play their nine league games across nine different venues. India will open their campaign against Australia on October 8 in Chennai. Also, the blockbuster India vs Pakistan clash is set to be held on October 14 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Kaif named his playing XI and stated that the youngsters like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Tilak Varma will not get a chance to play in the World Cup at home.

He said that when Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul return to the team after recovering from their respective injuries they will be slotted at No.4 and No.5 position. He also said that India already have a set top-3 in Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli.

“Shreyas Iyer is injured, KL Rahul is recovering. I hope they will all return to the side (in time for the World Cup). So all this talk about new players coming into the side (for the World Cup), they will not get a chance in the team. Your (Team India’s) XI is all set,” said Kaif, as quoted by PTI.

“Iyer, when he returns, will play at No. 4. You have Shubman Gill and skipper Rohit Sharma (as openers), at No. 3 you have Virat Kohli, at No. 4 you have (Shreyas) Iyer, at No. 5 you have KL Rahul.”

Even Siraj might not find a place in the XI – Mohammad Kaif

Kaif further picked Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja as his all-round options followed by Axar Patel or Shardul Thakur at the No.8 position depending on the conditions. The last three players in his playing XI were Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, and Jasprit Bumrah.

“Hardik Pandya at 6, (Ravindra) Jadeja at No.7, Axar Patel or Shardul Thakur will play at No.8 depending on the condition (of the pitch). At No.9, you will have Kuldeep Yadav… he has a good ODI record, and at No. 10 and 11, you will have the two fast bowlers Mohammed Shami and Bumrah.

“Even Siraj might not find a place in the XI. So, when it will be difficult to accommodate Siraj, then the new players we are talking about, they might not get the opportunity in this World Cup,” said Kaif.

He added that India will field an experienced playing XI in the World Cup and the new players are just being groomed through the West Indies series. Mohammad Kaif said (as quoted by PTI):

“If at all there will be someone in the squad, it would be Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav because they have been playing for many years.

“The new faces people are talking about are only for this (West Indies) tour. When the Asia Cup and the World Cup are played, then only the senior-most players will play.”

Notably, Mohammed Siraj has been India’s best performer in the bowling department in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, who is set to return to international cricket in the T20I series against Ireland following a long injury layoff. Earlier this year, Siraj also became the No.1 bowler in the ICC ODI Bowling Rankings.

Mohammad Kaif’s India XI For World Cup: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel/ Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah.