Mohammed Siraj Should Have Played In Place Of Ishant Sharma; Even Shardul Thakur Was A Good Option, Says Former BCCI Selector Gagan Khoda

Former India selector Gagan Khoda opines that Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur were the better alternatives that Virat Kohli could have played in the loss to New Zealand in the World Test Championship Final Southampton.

The Indian pace bowling trio of Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Shami flattered to deceive in the final as the Kiwis gained handy first innings lead and eventually won the game by 8 wickets.

“Siraj should have played in place of Ishant Sharma. The conditions were suitable for swing bowling. No one was moving the ball apart from Mohammad Shami and there was no one who supported him. Siraj could have moved the ball better. Even Shardul could have been a good option. He moves the ball well,” Gagan Khoda told SportsKeeda in an interview.

Bhuvneshwar should have been in the Indian team: Gagan Khoda

Gagan Khoda, who played in 2 ODIs for India in 1998, further believes that Bhuvneshwar Kumar should have also been on the trip to England – for the WTC Final and the following 5-Test series against the hosts. Instead, the pacer will be on the tour of Sri Lanka for 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is as a vice-captain.

Gagan Khoda asserts that since Bhuvneshwar is predominantly a swing bowler, he would have largely effective on England shores. The pacer has fared well in England, having taken 19 wickets in 5 previous Tests at 26.63 with a couple of five-fors.

“Bhuvneshwar is a good swing bowler and he should have been in the Indian team for the WTC final and England series,” the 46-year old former batsman added.

The Test series against Joe Root’s team commences on August 4 at Trent Bridge.

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