After Shubman Gill, Mohammed Siraj has broken his silence on his absence from India’s T20 World Cup squad and sent his wishes to the Men in Blue. Siraj, a member of the 2024 T20 World Cup-winning team, wasn’t even in contention to be part of the upcoming ICC event. He hasn’t played a T20I since July 2024. Speaking to the media on the eve of the 3rd ODI against New Zealand, Siraj said that playing the World Cup is a “different dream.” The right-arm pacer played three matches in the 2024 T20 WC and scalped one wicket.
“I played the last T20 World Cup and not this time. For a player, playing in a World Cup is a different dream – playing for your country. The team is quite good on paper and in form. My best wishes to them. Keep the trophy here,” Siraj said.
Siraj also revealed that he was rested for the ODI series against South Africa and hasn’t been in and out of the ODI squad. “I was rested from the last ODI series against South Africa because I had bowled 40 overs in the second Test. I haven’t been in and out. I played in Australia (ODI series) then was rested (against South Africa). For a fast bowler, adequate rest is very important. Been playing Test matches consistently and you end up working out a lot. You need to refuel to maintain the rhythm and focus,” he added.
Siraj has 14 wickets in 16 T20Is. He has played 49 ODIs and 45 Tests since his India debut in 2017. He has 139 wickets in Tests and 75 scalps in 50-over cricket.
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Jasprit Bumrah will lead India’s pace attack in the 2026 T20 WC, which includes Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh and all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube. Pandya bowls regularly in T20Is, while Dube can also chip in with crucial wickets.
India will open their campaign against the USA on February 7 in Mumbai. They will face Namibia in their second game on February 12. India will be up against arch-rivals Pakistan on February 15 in Sri Lanka. The defending champions will take on Netherlands in their last league stage game on February 18.
