Aakash Chopra Slams Selectors Over Star Bowlers Shock Exclusion from SA ODIs

India is definitely facing issues with its bowling line-up for the ODI series against South Africa. The team failed to defend the total of 359, which has caused a lot of questions to appear. At this moment, Aakash Chopra has questioned the exclusion of Mohammed Siraj from the line-up, who is now playing domestics.

1. Aakash Chopra Speaks on Siraj’s Exclusion

For Jasprit Bumrah, it was the workload management, while Shami could be the fitness issues. But for Mohammed Siraj, his exclusion from the line-up is still questioned. Fans thought Siraj won't be playing in the ODI series due to the workload, but there seems to be another truth behind the same. Recently, Siraj was playing for Hyderabad in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

Aakash Chopra said, “What has happened with Miyan Magic? He used to be a three-format player earlier. He used to play ODIs, T20Is, and Tests. In fact, in ODIs, there was a two-year period when no one took more wickets than him for India. He was constantly picking up wickets. We were saying he is in a different league altogether.”

Aakash Chopra also talked about Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna getting more opportunities ahead of Siraj. He said, “When did it happen that Mohammed Siraj, suddenly, from a three-format bowler, became a one-format bowler? No one is talking about it. No one is questioning. Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana have played. You are giving opportunities to everyone else. Suddenly, from where is Mohammed Siraj's workload management being spoken about?”

Siraj has been a primary bowler for the Indian team even in the ODI format. To this, Aakash Chopra further said, “What kind of workload is this? You are not going to play any cricket for the next 10 months. How did Mohammed Siraj disappear? Mohammed Siraj, minimum, has to be there in ODIs. You can consider him for T20Is as well, but he has to be there in ODIs.”

Fans should not forget the contributions given by Mohammed Siraj in the ODI format. And now, he remains just a one format player for the Indian team, playing just in the Test format. It should also be noted that Mohammed Siraj was India's highest wicket-taker in the ODI format for two consecutive years. Despite that, he has played just three ODIs each in 2024 and 2025.

Mohammed Siraj in ODIs:

In the 2023 Asia Cup final, he registered his career best figures against Sri Lanka, taking 6 wickets in the game. He was later excluded from the Champions Trophy squad, citing issues with his form. And now, he has also been excluded from the Indian team for the ODI series against South Africa at home conditions.