India fast bowler Mohammed Siraj has been withdrawn from the T20I leg of the upcoming UK tour as part of a workload management plan. However, the pacer will continue to remain available for the ODI series and is expected to join the squad ahead of that leg of the tour.
The decision comes as India prepare for a busy international calendar, with the team set to play white-ball cricket across Ireland and England before a packed season ahead.
In a media advisory, the BCCI confirmed the development and explained the rationale behind the move.
“Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj has been withdrawn from India’s squads for the upcoming T20I series against Ireland and England,” the BCCI said. “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.”
The board also announced that the Men’s Selection Committee had named Prasidh Krishna as Siraj’s replacement for both T20I series. The move ensures India retain an experienced pace option while allowing Siraj time to recover before returning for the ODI leg of the tour.
PRASIDH REPLACES SIRAJ
Siraj recently featured in India’s one-off Test against Afghanistan, where he claimed one wicket and contributed 22 runs with the bat. The fiery pacer once again showcased his trademark aggression and intensity despite a modest return with the ball.
Prasidh Krishna also featured in the one-off Test against Afghanistan, returning figures of 3 for 43. The fast bowler last played a T20I for India in 2023 against Australia in Guwahati, where he conceded 68 runs without taking a wicket.
The T20I squad for the UK tour already features several notable changes. Shreyas Iyer has been handed the captaincy, replacing T20 World Cup-winning skipper Suryakumar Yadav less than six months after India’s triumph. The selectors have also included teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who is currently representing India A in the Tri-Nation series in Sri Lanka.
India’s white-ball tour begins with two T20Is against Ireland, followed by a five-match T20I series against England. The tour will then conclude with a three-match ODI series, for which Siraj remains available after completing his scheduled rest period.
INDIA’S UPDATED SQUAD FOR T20I AGAINST ENGLAND AND IRELAND
Shreyas Iyer (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma (VC), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Prasidh Krishna.
– Ends
