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Former Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik has shared his thoughts on Mohammed Siraj’s exclusion from India’s squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Arshdeep Singh have been chosen in the pace department for the upcoming prestigious tournament.
Reacting to India’s pace attack for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Dinesh Karthik feels it was a fair selection, especially considering Arshdeep Singh’s phenomenal performance over the past two years. However, Karthik admitted that Siraj would have been hurt by young pacer Harshit Rana being picked ahead of him for the upcoming ODI. series.
I think it’s sad but fair: Dinesh Karthik on Mohammed Siraj’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Dinesh Karthik was quoted by Cricbuzz as saying: “I think it’s sad but fair. Who have they gone for? Bumrah, Shami and Arshdeep, who have been phenomenal in white-ball cricket. But what would hurt him, I think, is the fact that Harshit Rana has been picked ahead of him in the first two matches of the bilateral against England.”
The 30-year-old fast bowler has taken 71 wickets in 44 ODIs that he has played for the Indian national cricket team. Siraj had a remarkable year in 2023 where he had become the number one ODI bowler in the world. Even in 2024, the Hyderabad bowler was in fine form with the ball, especially in Tests.
In 2024, Siraj has taken 35 wickets in 25 Tests and played in all three ODIs India played last year, but only managed 3 wickets. In T20Is last year, the passionate pacer got a chance to play in only 2 T20Is, mostly due to his workload management, and has taken only one wicket.
Dinesh Karthik urges Mohammed Siraj to prove he deserves better
However, the Indian pacer’s past record is impressive, and he recently shone with the ball on the tour to Australia, taking 20 wickets in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Despite this, Siraj was overlooked for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, with Karthik suggesting that the bowler should prove himself and make a strong comeback in India’s white-ball setup.
Dinesh Karthik signed off saying, “Now, this is where Siraj will look and say, ‘Look, I think I deserve better than this, and I’ll do better because he has the skills.’ But for now, for the Champions Trophy, I think it’s a fair decision Ajit Agarkar and Rohit Sharma’s part.”
You need some backup pace and Mohammed Siraj could have been a good choice – Irfan Pathan
Recently, former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan expressed concern over the limited pace bowling options in India’s Champions Trophy squad 2025. The commentator also suggested that Mohammed Siraj should have been named in the team, especially considering Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness issues.
Irfan Pathan was quoted by the Indian Express as saying, “You need a backup pace. Siraj could have been a good option. In Dubai, playing four spinners is not viable. With Bumrah and Shami coming back from injuries, it will not be easy for them to A pacer like Siraj would have filled that void.
That said, we hope the selectors’ picks work out well, and we should be rooting for them. When you’ve been such a seasoned campaigner and you’re among the top 10 bowlers in India, you understand the limits of your body.”
