Aakash Chopra Questions Mohammed Siraj's ODI Exclusion from Indian Team

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has raised concerns over Mohammed Siraj's exclusion from the ODI team, questioning how he became a one-format player. Despite Siraj's impressive Test record, his absence from the white-ball squad has puzzled many, especially after India's recent match against South Africa. Chopra highlights Siraj's past successes and expresses disappointment over his current status in the team. As the ODI series stands tied at 1-1, the cricket community is left wondering about Siraj's future in the format. Read on to discover more about this unfolding situation.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 4, 2025, 12:40 IST

Concerns Over Siraj's ODI Status

In New Delhi, former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra expressed his bewilderment regarding Mohammed Siraj's recent omission from the ODI squad. He finds it hard to comprehend how Siraj has transitioned into a one-format player.

This discussion arose following India's inability to defend a total of 359 runs in the second ODI against South Africa held in Raipur. Siraj has shown remarkable performance in Test cricket, claiming 139 wickets across 45 matches, yet his presence in the white-ball team has been inconsistent. Although he participated in the ODIs during the recent tour of Australia, he was left out of the squad for the South Africa series.

Despite Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad both scoring centuries and India surpassing the 350-run mark, South Africa clinched victory with four balls remaining.

Chopra voiced his concerns in a video shared on his X account, stating, "Can you understand what is happening with Mohammed Siraj? I cannot understand at all. I cannot wrap my head around the fact that he has become a one-format player. And when did this happen? When he plays Test cricket, we are so effusive of him for his passion, commitment and wicket-taking abilities."

Siraj has performed reasonably well in ODIs, taking 73 wickets in 47 matches with an average of 24.67 and an economy rate of 5.17, including a five-wicket haul. Currently, the 31-year-old pacer is participating in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy representing Hyderabad.

Chopra further questioned, "But how did he vanish from ODI cricket? He is playing domestic cricket currently. When he was not picked for the Champions Trophy, we were a little disappointed because two years prior to that, he was the highest wicket-taker for India in that format (ODIs)."

He pointed out that while Siraj has been absent from the white-ball format, players like Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna have been given opportunities.

Chopra concluded, "Then suddenly, his name [Siraj] is missing. And it’s still missing. Others are playing – Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna, but Mohammed Siraj is nowhere to be seen. He is not in ODIs, absent from T20Is. Why did this happen? Personally, I don’t know. When did he become a single-format player?"

In the second ODI, both Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna faced challenges with their economy rates, with Rana allowing 70 runs in 10 overs while taking one wicket, and Krishna conceding 85 runs in 8.2 overs with two wickets to his name.

With this victory, the three-match ODI series is now tied at 1-1, with the next match scheduled for Saturday at the Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.