Mohammed Siraj rested for India vs West Indies ODI series after injury scare

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• Jul 27, 2023 | Dhupali Das

Team India's ace fast bowler, Mohammed Siraj, has been released from the Indian ODI squad for the forthcoming three-ODI series against...

Digital Desk: Team India's ace fast bowler, Mohammed Siraj, has been released from the Indian ODI squad for the forthcoming three-ODI series against the West Indies, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed on Thursday. The decision to rest the star pacer comes in the wake of his complaint about a "sore ankle," prompting the board to take a precautionary approach to protect the bowler's fitness. Siraj, who was being touted to lead the Indian pace attack in the absence of Mohammed Shami (who has also been rested), will be dearly missed by the team as they prepare to face the West Indies in the limited-overs series.

The right-arm pacer's exceptional performances in the Test series against the West Indies earned him a prominent role in the Indian bowling lineup. His notable achievement of clinching a five-wicket haul in the second Test in Trinidad solidified his reputation as one of India's key bowling assets. However, with the team management prioritizing his workload management and long-term well-being, Siraj will now take the much-needed rest.

A tweet from the BCCI read, "Mohd. Siraj has been released from Team India’s ODI squad ahead of the three-match series against the West Indies."

"The right-arm pacer complained of a sore ankle and as a precautionary measure has been advised rest by the BCCI medical team," it added.

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While the absence of Siraj from the ODI team has raised some concerns, there will be no replacement named for the right-arm pacer. This decision provides an opportunity for other pace bowlers in the squad to step up and showcase their talent on the international stage. India's pace attack for the series will now comprise Jaydev Unadkat, Umran Malik, Shardul Thakur, and the uncapped Mukesh Kumar.

Apart from the West Indies series, another crucial factor behind the decision to rest Siraj could be India's upcoming assignments. The team is gearing up for the Asia Cup, scheduled to begin on August 30, with all matches set to take place in Sri Lanka. The tournament holds significant importance as it will serve as a vital preparatory phase for the ODI World Cup, scheduled for October-November.

Being an integral part of India's white-ball setup, Siraj's fitness remains of utmost importance. Since the start of the year, he has played in all ODIs for India against Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and Australia. He also played a key role in India's historic 2-1 triumph at the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (Tests) and performed impressively in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Royal Challengers Bangalore, taking 19 wickets in 14 games. Recently, he was a part of the India XI that played against Australia in the final of the World Test Championship.

With India's frontline pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, also recovering from an injury, the management is likely to be extra cautious in managing Siraj's workload, considering the crucial assignments ahead. While the BCCI revealed that Bumrah is on the path to regaining full fitness and will participate in practice matches at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, his return date remains uncertain.

Following the Asia Cup, India is scheduled to play a three-match bilateral series against Australia, which will further serve as a crucial preparation for the marquee home World Cup.

As fans eagerly await the return of their favorite bowlers to the playing field, the team management's focus on the long-term welfare of its players stands as a testament to their commitment to building a formidable squad for future challenges.