When did Mohammed Siraj become a single-format player? Ex-India star blasts Gautam Gambhir after Raipur ODI embarrassment

India’s tough loss to South Africa in the second ODI has yet again turned the spotlight on head coach Gautam Gambhir and selectors. After India failed to defend a huge total of 359 against South Africa in Raipur, Aakash Chopra questioned Mohammed Siraj’s sudden absence in the ODI setup.

Despite being a proven pacer and delivering match-winning spells in several high-pressure games, Mohammed Siraj seems to have become only a one-format player for India under Gautam Gambhir’s regime. And the former Indian batter was baffled by this fact.

Aakash Chopra slams Ajit Agarkar and Gautam Gambhir for drooping Mohammed Siraj from ODI team

In the crucial second ODI, India had done everything right with the bat. Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad smashed brilliant centuries, helping India go past 350 with ease. But all that hard work fell apart as South Africa pulled off one of the biggest ODI chases in India.

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The real problem was India’s bowling attack. Prasidh Krishna had a forgettable outing, giving away 85 runs in just 8.2 overs. Harshit Rana struggled as well, getting hit for 70 runs in his 10 overs. Even Kuldeep Yadav, who usually brings control in the middle overs, ended up conceding 78 runs.

India’s bowling unit looked flat, tired, and completely out of ideas. Witnessing India’s haplessness in the Raipur ODI with the ball, Aakash Chopra slammed Gambhir and the chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, as Siraj has suddenly been used as a bowler only in the Tests.

'What is happening with Mohammed Siraj?'

Not long ago, Siraj was the world’s number one ranked ODI bowler and match-winner of the Men in Blue, especially in the Test and 50-over formats. But now, the fiery face is not seen in ODIs, is not considered for T20Is, and was even dropped from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad.

Aakash Chopra said in a video posted on his X handle, “Can you understand what is happening with Mohammed Siraj? I cannot understand at all. I cannot wrap my head around the fact that he has become a one-format player. And when did this happen? When he plays Test cricket, we are so effusive of him for his passion, commitment, and wicket-taking abilities.”

The commentator added, “But how did he vanish from ODI cricket? He is playing domestic cricket currently. When he was not picked for the Champions Trophy, we were a little disappointed because two years prior to that, he was the highest wicket-taker for India in that format (ODIs).”

Read Also: Watch: Rohit Sharma looks absolutely disgusted after Kuldeep Yadav's mistake during Raipur ODI

Aakash Chopra questions Mohammed Siraj’s absence from ODIs and T20Is

The cricket pandit has pointed out that Siraj is fully fit and currently playing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025 for Hyderabad, so why are others with less experience getting repeated chances for India despite not delivering in the high-pressure games?

Siraj was even recently part of India’s squad for the two-match Test series against South Africa. Yet, he was not picked in the ODI squad and now for the T20I series as well.

Chopra signed off by saying, “Then suddenly his name is missing. And it’s still missing. Others are playing—Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna—but Mohammed Siraj is nowhere to be seen. He is not in ODIs and is absent from T20Is. Why did this happen? Personally, I don’t know. When did he become a single-format player?”

Why aren’t enough people talking about Miyaan Magic? #AakashVani pic.twitter.com/pBalG6LUYo

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) December 4, 2025