 "Champions Trophy 2025: India captain Rohit Sharma explains Mohammed Siraj's exclusion, 'We wanted someone...'")
Mohammed Siraj was one of the biggest names missing as India announced their ODI squads for the series against England in the Champions Trophy 2025 on Saturday. Siraj’s exclusion was confirmed by India captain Rohit Sharma and BCCI’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar who announced the squads at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai .
It’s quite surprising, given that Rohit and Agarkar also confirmed that Bumrah has been picked in the ODI squads despite his participation subject to him being fit. The pacer suffered a back spasm during the last Test in Sydney, Australia, earlier this month. The selectors have added Harshit Rana ahead of Siraj to the squad for the ODI series against Bumrah as they don’t expect Bumrah to be ready for the first two matches.
“We are waiting on Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness and will know his status in early February from BCCI’s medical team,” Agarkar said.
Apart from Bumrah and Shami, Arshdeep is the third and final specialist pacer in the squad.
Rohit explains Siraj’s exclusion from CT 2025 squad
Explaining why Siraj has not been picked for the Champions Trophy 2025, India captain Rohit said Arshdeep was preferred as the 25-year-old is batter bowler in death overs where Siraj seems to struggle.
“We are not sure if Jasprit Bumrah will play or not. Hence, we wanted someone who can bowl with the new ball and the old one. That is why, we have picked Arshdeep Singh, because of his abilities in the backend. Siraj’s effectiveness comes down if he doesn’t use the new ball. It’s unfortunate if he misses out,” Rohit said in the press conference.
In Hardik Pandya, India have also picked one seam-bowling all-rounder who can pitch in with a few overs. India have picked four spinners on the other hand with Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Ravindra Jadeja all being picked.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsIndia’s ODI squad for Champions Trophy 2025 and series against England: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah*, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja.
*Harshit Rana will be part of the squad for the England ODI series till Bumrah gets fit.
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