Mumbai: Breaking his silence on his rejection from the Champions Trophy 2025 team, Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj questions skipper Rohit Sharma’s justification for the choice. Speaking at a press conference before the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, Siraj said his performance with both the new and old balls has been outstanding.
“Using the old ball, I have taken the most wickets among the 10 fastest bowlers worldwide in the last year. Furthermore, my economic rate is low. The numbers speak for themselves,” Siraj stated, refuting Rohit’s claim that his performance diminishes with age.
Given his steady performances across formats for India in recent years, the pacer’s absence from the Champions Trophy team had drawn criticism. Rohit had already defended the choice by claiming that Siraj’s effect reduces when he is not bowling with the new ball.
Siraj’s absence followed a form collapse during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy versus Australia. He was then passed over for the T20I and ODI series against England, so he missed the Champions Trophy team.
Now set to start a fresh chapter with Gujarat Titans in the IPL following seven years with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Siraj appears resolved to establish his value. At the super auction, the Titans paid a premium Rs 12.25 crore for him; he is keen to influence their first game against Punjab Kings on March 25.
All eyes will be on Siraj as the IPL 2025 season draws near to see whether he can turn his words into performances and maybe find his way back onto the national squad.