Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan reckons India will feel Mohammed Siraj’s absence in ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Pathan feels Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami are returning to international cricket and it won’t be easy for them to achieve the target immediately.
Mohammed Siraj was recently dropped from the Indian squad for the Champions Trophy as the selectors decided to go with a left-arm spinner Arshdeep Singh because of his death ball throwing skill.
When Indian captain Rohit Sharma was asked about Siraj’s absence from the ODI squad against England and the Champions Trophy, he made it clear that the team does not see Siraj as an effective bowler with the old ball.
Also read: Varun Chakaravarthy humbled himself using Rashid Khan’s reference
Irfan Pathan on Mohammed Siraj’s absence from the Champions Trophy
When Irfan Pathan was asked about India’s squad for the Champions Trophy, he regretted not having Mohammed Siraj. Pathan feels that India have picked too many spinners for the conditions in Dubai.
The former Indian cricketer feels that with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami coming back from injuries, it might be difficult for them to hit the run-rate immediately despite being world-class bowlers. According to Pathan, Siraj could have played an important role in this aspect.
“You need an auxiliary pacer. Siraj could have been a good option. In Dubai, playing four spinners is not sustainable. With (Jasprit) Bumrah and (Mohammed) Shami coming back from injuries, it won’t be easy for them right away,” Pathan told The Indian Express.
“A pacer like (Mohammed) Siraj would fill that gap. Still, we hope the selectors’ choices work well and we should support them,” he added.
India have selected four spinners for the 2025 Champions Trophy, three of whom are bowling all-rounders. Kuldeep Yadav is the only specialist spinner in the team and he is also coming back from injury. The three all-rounders in spin bowling are Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Pateland Washington Sundar.
Mohammed Siraj in BGT 2024-25
Mohammed Siraj played in all five Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy but was not great series with the ball. The fast bowler picked up 20 wickets in the series at an average of 31.15. However, he was inconsistent and failed to find his rhythm.
Siraj was also part of India’s 2023 ODI World Cup squad where the team finished as runners-up. The 30-year-old has picked up 14 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 33.50. He was also part of the Indian team that won the T20 World Cup 2024 title.
Irfan Pathan on Mohammed Shami’s absence from 1st T20I vs England
When asked about Mohammed Shami’s absence from the first T20I against England, Irfan Pathan replied that Shami knows his body better than anyone else. According to him, the decision to rest Shami would be taken after communication between the fast bowler and the team management.
“(Mohammed) Shami always gives honest feedback to the team management, and decisions are made through mutual communication. Recovery at the highest level takes time, especially after constant playing. I believe he and the team management will take the right decision at the right time,” remarked Pathan.
Mohammed Shami was expected to make his international return in the first T20I against England in Kolkata. However, India fielded three spinners with Arshdeep Singh as the only specialist pacer. The reason for Shami’s absence is not yet clear, but it could be due to a team combination.
