Hyderabad pacer Mohammed Siraj, excluded from the Champions Trophy squad, is set to play in Hyderabad’s last Ranji Trophy group game, while missing their penultimate match due to workload management.
Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj, who has been left out of India’s Champions Trophy squad, is expected to represent Hyderabad in their final Ranji Trophy group-stage game against Vidarbha. However, reports suggest that Siraj will not feature in the match against Himachal Pradesh on January 23, as part of workload management measures.
The Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) confirmed Siraj’s participation for the last group fixture. “He has some workload concerns and will not play the first game. But in all likelihood, he will turn up for the match against Vidarbha,” an HCA official was quoted saying.
Siraj recently represented India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia and will now join Hyderabad, which currently sits sixth in Group B with only one win from five matches. The team has also drawn two games in this campaign, making the upcoming matches critical for their progression.
Why Was Siraj Left Out of the Champions Trophy Squad?
Despite his stellar performances in ODI cricket, Siraj was overlooked for the Champions Trophy squad. The Hyderabad-born bowler had been at the top of the ICC ODI bowler rankings not long ago. Since 2023, he has taken 47 wickets in ODIs, including 14 during the World Cup, where he maintained an economy rate of 5.68. Since 2022, Siraj has claimed 71 wickets in ODIs, more than any other Indian bowler and third overall globally.
However, Indian captain Rohit Sharma revealed the rationale behind Siraj’s exclusion, citing a preference for bowlers who could deliver in all phases of the game. “We wanted a squad with versatility—bowlers who can perform with the new ball and also at the back end,” Rohit explained. He added that Arshdeep Singh was chosen for his ability to bowl effectively at the death, especially with concerns around Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness.
Rohit further elaborated on the decision: “Shami’s brilliance with the new ball was evident during the World Cup. While Siraj excels with the new ball, his effectiveness diminishes in other phases of the game. With Arshdeep and Shami in the team, we needed bowlers who could handle all three aspects—powerplay, middle overs, and death overs.”
Conclusion
Although Mohammed Siraj’s omission from the Champions Trophy squad may come as a surprise to many fans, his return to domestic cricket will be a boost for Hyderabad. With the Ranji Trophy reaching its decisive phase, Siraj’s inclusion could provide the team with the much-needed impetus to improve their standings in Group B.
