"He is not a novice" - Former KKR star slams team management over handling of Mohammed Siraj amid NZ vs IND 2026 ODIs

Former KKR batter Aakash Chopra has questioned Indian team management's handling of senior pacer Mohammed Siraj in white-ball cricket. Describing him as a force in the limited-overs formats, he wondered why the pacer has played only a handful of matches for India in ODIs and T20Is over the last few years.

Despite the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna, Siraj was not picked in the Indian playing XI for the first ODI against New Zealand at the Eden Park in Auckland on Wednesday, November 4. The Men in Blue picked Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar, Auqib Nabi and Anshul Kamboj as their four pacers.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra wondered what kind of plans the Indian management has in store for Siraj. He commented:

"What are we doing with Mohammed Siraj? Please address that question. He is not a novice fast bowler. He has been playing for a long time. He has been a force in white-ball cricket, not just a time pass. But in the last 35 months, believe it or not, he has played only 10 matches. In the last 24 months, he has played only seven matches."

Chopra reflected on a comment on Siraj made by former captain Rohit Sharma a few years back and opined that the fast bowler has been treated unfairly after that. He elaborated:

"A long time ago, when Rohit Sharma was the captain, he said in a press conference that Siraj's penetration with the old ball reduces. And that seems to have had such a big impact. This is not working out really well in my opinion. India decided to play four fast bowlers [in Auckland]. Bumrah and Prasidh are not there. Still, there was no place for Siraj. He has become the seventh alternative."

Siraj has played 51 ODIs so far in which he has claimed 77 wickets at an average of 25.67 and an economy rate of 5.15, with one five-fer and two four-fers.

Young pacers star in Siraj's absence

In Siraj's absence, Kamboj was India's standout bowler in Auckland, registering figures of 2-22 from 10 overs. He was named Player of the Match for his spell. Arshdeep Singh also starred with 4-70 from 10 overs, while Gurnoor Brar claimed 3-44 from 9.2 overs.

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