Another big setback for India before World Cup, BCCI advises precaution for star pacer

Mohammed Siraj was Team India’s lead pacer in the absence of Mohammed Shami during the recently concluded two-match Test series against West Indies. The 29-year-old proved his mettle by registering seven wickets in the two Test matches, which includes a fifer in the second Test on a flat Port of Spain track. However, the pacer is reportedly not a part of the Indian squad in the three-match ODI series, which is scheduled to begin on Thursday, July 27.

3 Things You Need To Know

• Mohammed Siraj received the Player of the Match award in the WI vs IND 2nd Test
• The 29-year-old was rewarded for his fifer and won his first-ever POTM award in Tests in IND vs WI series
• Siraj has grabbed 43 ODI wickets since the start of 2022, the most by an Indian bowler in ODIs

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Why did Mohammed Siraj fly back home despite being named for the ODI series?

Mohammed Siraj was initially named in the Indian ODI squad for India vs West Indies ODI series and was expected to lead the attack that included Jaydev Unadkat, Shardul Thakur, Mukesh Kumar, and Umran Malik, alongside vice-captain Hardik Pandya.  "Siraj has been continuously playing since the IPL. Since then he has bowled in three successive Tests. The right-arm pacer complained of a sore ankle and as a precautionary measure has been advised to rest by the BCCI medical team. He will now directly join the Asia Cup camp in NCA for a tune-up to World Cup," a BCCI source said on Thursday.

As per the report, Siraj accompanied R Ashwin, Ajinkya Rahane, KS Bharat, and Navdeep Saini on the flight back to India after IND vs WI series which India won by 1-0. This comes at a time when India is beginning their preparation for the ODI World Cup 2023. In the build-up to the marquee quadrennial tournament, India is slated to play in the Asia Cup from August end to mid-September, before facing Australia in a three-match ODI series against Australia.

Mohammed Siraj’s sensational form for India ahead of the ODI World Cup 2023

The Royal Challengers Bangalore pacer will certainly be a key pacer for India during the ODI World Cup alongside Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah (if he makes a comeback). Prior to the Test series against West Indies, Siraj was part of India’s playing XI in the ICC World Test Championship final against Australia. Despite India’s loss, Siraj ended up registering five wickets, including a four-wicket haul in the first innings.

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Prior to the ICC WTC 2023 final, Siraj concluded a sensational season for RCB, noting up 19 wickets in 14 games. His last ODI appearance came against Australia in India in March, where he took five wickets in three games. The star pacer has grabbed 43 wickets for India in ODIs since the start of 2022.