Jasprit Bumrah is going to make way for Mohammad Siraj.

Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina believes that Mohammad Siraj can still be part of the Indian team for the ICC Champions League 2025. If Jasprit Bumrah fails to regain full fitness, there is a possibility that the latter could be added to the squad.

In a major shocker in terms of selection, Mohammad Siraj has been dropped from India’s squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. This is because India chose to go with only three fast bowlers, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh.

Even Mohammed Siraj was not a backup, BCIC named Harshit Rana as cover for Bumrah.

But there are also concerns over Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness. The fast bowler was injured in the final match of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy and has not been in good form since. Ajit Agarkar mentioned that despite naming Pacer in the squad, they are not sure about his availability.

But surprisingly Mohammad Siraj wasn’t even a back-up as Harshit Rana was named in India’s ODI squad as cover for Bumrah for the match against England. Rohit Sharma and Ajith Agarkar also faced a lot of criticism for Siraj’s absence.

I feel that Bumrah can return to the side if Mohammad Siraj is completely unfit – Suresh Raina.

Speaking about Mohammad Siraj’s absence, Suresh Raina was hopeful that a backup would be added to the team. Former Indian cricketer Harshit Rana also praised him but did not refrain from saying that Siraj is a better option. Speaking to Star Sports, he explained:

“Siraj was in a different form in Australia but you can change the team till February 12. So if Bumrah is not fully fit, I feel Siraj could be back in the side.”

“Harshit Rana has done well. He has good pace, good defence, diversity, yorkers and speed. Both him and Arshdeep Singh can bowl at the death, but without Bumrah, I feel Siraj is a better option.”

Shami out of match practice, Bumrah still unsure and Kuldeep recovering from surgery – Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina feels that with uncertainty over Jasprit Bumrah and uncertainty over Mohammed Shami’s batting, Kuldeep Yadav will play a big role for the team in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.

“Shami is out of match practice, Bumrah is still unsure and Kuldeep is coming back from surgery. What will be important is to see who will partner Kuldeep in the spin department.”

Mohammed Shami last played for India in ICC World Cup 2023. He will be back in the three-match T20I series in England. On the other hand, Kuldeep Yadav suffered an injury in the Bengaluru Test against New Zealand and will return in the ODI series.

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