Former Indian wicket-batter Dinesh Karthik shared his thoughts on the exclusion of Mohammed Siraj from the Indian squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Arshdeep Singh have been picked on pace for the upcoming tournament.
Reacting to India’s pace attack for ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Dinesh Karthik feels it was a fair choice, especially considering Arshdeep Singh’s phenomenal performance in the last few years. However, Karthik admitted that Siraj would be hurt by the fact that young pacer Harshit Rana was picked ahead of him for the upcoming ODI series.
I think it’s sad but fair: Dinesh Karthik on Mohammed Siraj’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Snub
Dinesh Karthik was quoted by Cricbuzz as saying: “I think it’s sad but fair. Who did they go for? Bumrah, Shami and Arshdeep, who were phenomenal in white-ball cricket. But what would hurt him, I feel, is the fact that Harshit Rana picked ahead of him in the first few matches in the bilateral against England.”
The 30-year-old fast bowler took 71 wickets in 44 ODIs played for the India National Cricket team. Siraj had an outstanding year in 2023 where he became the world’s number one ODI bowler. Even in 2024, the Hyderabad bowler has been in good form with the ball, especially in Tests.
In 2024, Siraj took 35 wickets in 25 Tests, and played in all three ODIS India played last year, but managed only 3 wickets. In the T20IS last year, the fiery Pacer got a chance to play in only 2 T20Is, mainly due to workload management, and took just one wicket.
Dinesh Karthik urges Mohammed Siraj to prove he deserves better
However, the Indian pacer’s past record is impressive and he recently shone with the ball on the tour of Australia, taking 20 wickets in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Despite this, Siraj has been overlooked for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, with Karthik suggesting the bowler should prove himself and make a strong comeback in India’s white-ball line-up.
Dinesh Karthik signed off saying, “Now Siraj will look and say, ‘Look, I think I deserve better than that and I will do better than that because he got the skills.’ But for now, for Trophy Champions, I think it is a fair decision on the part of Ajit Agarkar and Rohit Sharma. “
Also Read: Jofra Archer Shockingly Calls India’s Kolkata T20i Wins Fluke, Sends Bold ’40/6′ Warning
You need a backup pacer and Mohammed Siraj could be a good option: Irfan Pathan
Recently, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan expressed concern over the limited pace-snagging options in India’s Champions Trophy 2025 squad. The commentator also suggested that Mohammed Siraj should have been named in the squad, especially considering Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness issues.
Irfan Pathan was quoted by Indian Express as saying, “You need a back-up pacer. Siraj could have been a good option. In Dubai, playing four spinners is not sustainable. With Bumrah and Shami coming back from injuries, it won’t be easy for them. A pacer like Siraj would fill that gap.
That being said, we hope the selection of the selectors goes well and we should support them. When you’ve been such an experienced campaigner and among the top 10 bowlers in India, you understand the limitations of your body. “
