India’s ODI squad for the upcoming tour of England was announced on Sunday, June 21, with few surprises. Yet one name missing from the list quickly became the talking point among fans on social media – Mohammed Siraj.
The Indian pacer, one of the team’s most dependable fast bowlers across formats in recent years, was omitted from the ODI squad after already being withdrawn from the T20I leg of the UK tour against Ireland and England earlier this month.
At the time, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had confirmed that the decision was taken as part of a workload management programme.
“Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj has been withdrawn from India’s squads for the upcoming T20I series against Ireland and England,” the BCCI said in a media advisory on June 9. “Following discussions between the BCCI Medical Team and the Team Management, Siraj has been advised a period of rest as part of his workload management programme. The decision has been taken as a precautionary measure to ensure adequate recovery ahead of a long international season.”
While the statement only addressed the T20I squads, Siraj’s continued absence from the ODI setup suggests the selectors and team management have opted to extend that rest period.
SOCIAL MEDIA ABUZZ
However, the lack of an official explanation in the ODI squad announcement left fans searching for answers. Several users on X questioned the decision, with many describing Siraj’s omission as the biggest surprise from the squad announcement.
“Biggest surprise from the England series selection is that no place for Mohammed Siraj in ODIs. He was rested as part of workload management for Ireland and England T20Is but now not in ODIs as well,” one user wrote.
Others compared his omission to the continued backing being given to certain fast bowlers.
“Mohammed Siraj ignored again. Not selected for the T20I series against England and Ireland, and now left out of the ODI squad as well. Meanwhile, Harshit Rana keeps getting opportunities. On what basis? Nobody seems to know,” another user posted.
Some supporters, however, felt the break could ultimately benefit the Hyderabad pacer, who has often responded strongly to setbacks during his international career.
“Mohammed Siraj was rested and now dropped. Good for Mohammed Siraj as he never backs down whenever he’s out of Team India,” a fan wrote.
Not everyone was unhappy with the decision. A section of fans pointed to Siraj’s recent ODI returns, arguing that his performances have not matched the high standards required to play for India. Several users shared statistics from his last 10 ODI appearances, suggesting the selectors may have looked beyond workload management while finalising the squad.
For now, neither the BCCI nor the selectors have clarified whether Siraj’s absence is purely a fitness-management call or a selection decision. Until then, the fast bowler’s omission is likely to remain one of the biggest talking points from India’s squad announcement for the England tour.
ODI SQUAD FOR ENGLAND SERIES
India’s ODI squad: Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (subject to fitness), Shreyas Iyer (Vice-Captain), KL Rahul (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar.
T20I SQUAD FOR IRELAND T20I SERIES
India’s updated squad for Ireland T20Is: Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma (Vice-Captain), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Prasidh Krishna.
– Ends
