NEW DELHI: Mohammed Siraj is set to play Hyderabad’s last Ranji Trophy match vs Vidarbha. Not picked in India squad for Champions Trophy, Siraj will be skipping the January 23 fixture vs Himachal Pradesh at home due to workload management but will play last group game of the season.
Poll
Should International Cricketers Play in Domestic Leagues?
“He has some workload concern so will not be playing the first game. But will, in all likelihood, turn up for the last game vs Vidarbha,” a Hyderabad Cricket Association official tells TimesofIndia.com.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Mohammed Siraj wasn’t picked in the India squad for the Champions Trophy and the three ODIs vs England. The management preferred Arshdeep Singh for his effectiveness with the old ball in the seam attack also featuring Jasprit Bumrah (participation subject to fitness), Mohammed Shami and Harshit Rana (for England ODIs).
India captain Rohit Sharma explained at length why Siraj was dropped for the upcoming white-ball assignments.
“Siraj, his effectiveness comes down when he is not bowling with the new ball. It’s an unfortunate thing that he has to miss out. But, we had no option but to get the guys who can perform a certain role. I personally feel we have guys who can bowl with the new ball, bowl in the middle, and bowl at the backend. With these three bowlers, we think we can do that,” said Rohit.
Siraj featured in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia and returned with 20 wickets from the five Tests he played.