Team India will contest against West Indies in a three-match ODI series beginning on July 27 at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados. However, in-form speedster Mohammed Siraj will not feature in the shorter format series as he is not a part of the Indian squad and has flown back home.
Siraj was a part of the two-match test series against the Caribbean side and performed brilliantly with the ball. He grabbed a five-wicket haul in the first innings of the Trinidad test and was adjudged as the Player of the Match as well.
Mohammed Siraj gets rested for West Indies ODIs considering workload management
The Indian team will start their preparations for the upcoming ICC ODI World Cup which is scheduled to be played in the months of October-November in the series against West Indies. The 3-match series will also provide them a chance to ponder over their combination.
However, Mohammad Siraj who’s been an integral part of the Indian ODI setup for the last year, won’t feature in the series. The BCCI has decided to rest Siraj considering the workload management.
The young pacer has flown back home from the West Indies after being rested for the ODI series, ESPN Cricinfo has reported. According to a statement from the board, the right-arm pacer complained of “sore ankle,” and has been rested by the BCCI as a precautionary measure.
“Mohd. Siraj has been released from Team India’s ODI squad ahead of the three-match series against the West Indies,” a tweet from BCCI read.
Before the two-match test series against West Indies, Siraj was a part of the playing XI in the WTC 2023 final against Australia. Mohammed Siraj was also an integral part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore side in the IPL 2023 season.
Siraj’s last ODI appearance was against the Australian side in March 2023, where he stood out as Team India’s leading wicket-taker with five wickets. He’s also the highest wicket-taker for the Men in Blue in the past year.
After the West Indies tour, the Indian team will participate in the Asia Cup 2023 beginning from August 30. They will then contest against the Aussies which will be the last opportunity to prepare ahead of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023.
Meanwhile, the Indian board hasn’t declared any replacement for Siraj yet. The Indian pace attack for the West Indies ODIs now comprises Jaydev Unadkat, Umran Malik, Shardul Thakur, and Mukesh Kumar.