Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has shared his views on Mohammed Siraj’s exclusion from the 2025 Champions Trophy, stating that it won’t determine the fast bowler’s future. Chopra emphasized that Siraj, having already overcome challenging phases in his career, will not be disheartened by this setback.
The 2025 Champions Trophy will be held in Pakistan and Dubai starting February 19. India’s 15-member squad for the tournament includes three specialist pacers: Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, and Harshit Rana.
In a video posted on his YouTube channel, ‘Aakash Chopra’, the former Indian opener was asked about Siraj’s omission from the ICC event, especially with Rana being chosen over him.
“One tournament’s result, whether positive or negative, shouldn’t define Mohammed Siraj. He’s a quality player who has consistently performed well over a long period. You need to assess his situation from multiple perspectives. First of all, his form isn’t poor; it may not be spectacular, but it’s far from bad,” he said (4:50).
“The player’s work ethic is remarkable. He prioritizes cricket above everything else. Even when his father passed away, Siraj chose to stay back and play in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (2020-21), as his father had wished for him to continue. His progress to this level has been the result of immense dedication and hard work. He’s not one to give up easily,” Chopra added.
“Furthermore, you must consider the competition that surrounds you. cases, there are so many talented players that even a minor slip-up can cost you your place, and chances of a return might be slim. Looking at the team, while Bumrah is exceptional, he stands alone,” Chopra continued.
“Beyond that, Siraj has the versatility to replace players like Shami, Harshit, and Arshdeep. He can fit into various roles in the team. There are also other talented players like Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Prasidh Krishna, and Akash Deep, but none have the same impact as Bumrah. I firmly believe that Siraj has a bright future ahead,” Chopra concluded.
Siraj has taken 71 wickets at an economy rate of 5.18 across 43 ODI innings. However, one area that may require improvement, as highlighted by Rohit Sharma, is his performance with the old ball, which likely contributed to his exclusion from the 2025 Champions Trophy squad.