Mumbai: India’s spin-focused approach for the upcoming Champions Trophy has resulted in the exclusion of seasoned pacer Mohammed Siraj. The 15-member squad, announced on Saturday, reflects India’s reliance on a spin-heavy bowling attack, a formula that worked during last year’s T20 World Cup in the Caribbean. The tournament, set to begin on February 19, will see all of India’s matches played in Dubai, where pitches are expected to be less conducive to pace bowling.
Key Changes and New Inclusions
Selectors, led by Ajit Agarkar, have handed a maiden ODI call-up to promising batter Yashasvi Jaiswal. However, the notable omission of Siraj has sparked discussions, with the team management citing his limited impact with the older ball as the primary reason. India’s spin attack for the tournament includes Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar.
“We wanted to pick a squad that offers options both for new-ball and death-over bowling,” Rohit Sharma explained during a media interaction at Wankhede Stadium. “With Bumrah unavailable for the early part of the England series, we needed to strike a balance. Unfortunately, that left no room for Siraj.”
Bumrah’s Absence and Temporary Replacement
Jasprit Bumrah, recovering from an injury, is set to miss the first two ODIs against England, scheduled before the Champions Trophy. Harshit Rana has been named as his replacement for the Nagpur and Cuttack games, while Bumrah is expected to return for the final ODI in Ahmedabad on February 12.
Rohit’s Defense of the Squad Selection
Addressing concerns about the squad’s inexperience, Rohit highlighted the roles of Mohammad Shami and Arshdeep Singh. “We’ve seen what Shami can do with the new ball, and we believe Arshdeep is capable of handling the pressure in ODIs despite limited opportunities,” he said. “Siraj’s effectiveness diminishes if he doesn’t bowl with the new ball, which made it a tough decision to exclude him.”
The skipper emphasized that only three seamers were selected to accommodate multiple all-rounders. “This was a strategic choice to ensure depth and flexibility in the lineup,” Rohit added.
Learning from Past Experiences
India’s spin-heavy attack in last year’s T20 World Cup was successful in Dubai’s conditions. While fast bowlers like Bumrah, Arshdeep, and Hardik Pandya dominated the wickets column, Kuldeep and Axar were also effective. Rohit expressed confidence in replicating that success in the Champions Trophy.
“Arshdeep has proven himself in the T20 format, and his exposure to white-ball cricket gives us confidence in his ability to deliver under pressure,” Rohit said. “Shami’s recent performances have been outstanding, and we’re backing him to lead the pace attack.”
Unfortunate Omission of Siraj
Rohit acknowledged that leaving Siraj out was a tough decision. “It’s always difficult when players miss out due to team composition. Siraj has been a key player in our recent campaigns, but we needed bowlers who could perform specific roles across different phases of the game,” he said.
While the decision to omit Siraj may seem harsh, the team management remains optimistic about their spin-heavy strategy and the balance of the squad heading into the Champions Trophy.
