Former cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra has raised eyebrows over Mohammed Siraj's absence from India's white-ball squads.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra pointed out that Siraj is usually the first player to be left out of the team, but also believes the right-arm pacer will soon make a return to limited-overs cricket.
Notably, Siraj was rested for the T20I series against Ireland and England, with Prasidh Krishna taking his place. He was also overlooked in the 15-member squad for the ongoing ODI series against England.
"We have sidelined him silently. We did that in ODIs first, saying he is unable to bowl with the old ball. He remains out in T20 cricket in any case, although he was a part of the World Cup. He came and took three wickets on the first day itself," Chopra said.
"He gave an almost Player of the Match performance that day. Now he is not being seen in ODIs as well. It seems like he has been sidelined a little. There is a slight lack of clarity. He is the first man to be left out, but I feel you will see him as part of the Indian team going forward," he added.
Chopra recalled Siraj's impressive exploits in the T20 World Cup 2026 opener against the USA. However, he hasn't played a T20I since then and was also not picked for the Afghanistan series. His last ODI appearance was against New Zealand at home earlier this year.
However, Chopra is optimistic about Siraj's return to the Indian team, saying he's the kind of player you can't keep away for long.
"There is a slight lack of clarity. He is the first man to be left out, but I feel you will see him as part of the Indian team going forward."
Aakash Chopra also expects Mohammed Siraj to be a part of India’s 2027 ODI World Cup squad in South Africa.
"There is one thing for sure. The Indian team has confidence in him that if something goes wrong, Siraj will be fit and ready, and when he plays, he will give his 100 percent. I think Siraj will come back. His name will come in ODI cricket. I am not so sure in T20Is, but in ODIs, come the World Cup, he will be there," Chopra remarked.
