Mohammed Siraj should be the first pick pace bowler for India in the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023 opined former India opener Aakash Chopra citing his brilliant record in ODI cricket.
The ICC World Cup 2023 will be played in India from October 5 onwards and will see 10 teams vying for the ultimate prize of being called world champions. India will play their first match on October 8 against Australia in Chennai.
The Indian squad is yet to be announced for the World Cup, but Aakash Chopra reckons that Mohammed Siraj should be preferred over Shardul Thakur and Prasidh Krishna in the tournament.
Recently, the BCCI announced the 17-member squad for the Asia Cup and chief selector Ajit Agarkar and captain Rohit Sharma indicated that the final squad for the World Cup will also be picked from this unit as well.
Mohammed Siraj, Mohammad Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, and Shardul Thakur are the pace bowling options for India along with Hardik Pandya for support. While Shami and Bumrah are more or less confirmed to be part of the playing XI, the spot for the 3rd pacer is wide open.
In the 17 ODIs played in the Asian subcontinent, Siraj has secured 35 wickets with an average of 16.57 and an economy rate of 4.51. Furthermore, the pacer has accounted for 29 dismissals in 14 ODIs in India with an average of 15.44 and an economy rate of 4.33.
Aakash Chopra praised Siraj, highlighting that he has taken 43 wickets across 24 matches, with an average of 20.7 and an economy rate of 4.78. These stats are even better than Shami and Bumrah, the former opener reckoned.
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"Mohammed Siraj is brilliant. He has had a short career. 43 wickets in 24 matches at an average of 20.7 and an economy rate of 4.78. They are better than both Bumrah's and Shami's numbers. In Asia, his average becomes 16.57 and economy rate is 4.51," Aakash Chopra said in a video shared on his YouTube channel.
"You cannot play anyone. You will have to play Siraj only. His numbers in Asia are better than his numbers outside Asia. So, people who were talking about whether Shardul Thakur or Prasidh Krishna can be played instead of Siraj, you cannot play anyone. You will have to play Siraj only. You should play him," Chopra added.
Chopra was also praiseful of Jasprit Bumrah, who made his international cricket comeback recently after being out for 11 months due to a back issue.
"Jasprit Bumrah has picked up 121 wickets in 72 matches at an average of 24.3 and an economy rate of 4.63. He is brilliant - nearly two wickets per game. In Asia, his average is 23.9 and he has an economy rate of 4.65. These are phenomenal numbers,” Chopra added.
