The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have announced Mohammed Siraj because the substitute for Harshit Rana within the upcoming T20 World Cup. Rana has been officially ruled out of the 20-team tournament after suffering a knee injury during a warm-up game against South Africa in Mumbai.
The suitable-arm seamer was forced to go away the sector after bowling only one over within the practice match, visibly in discomfort and clutching his knee. He was later spotted along with his thigh heavily strapped, and India captain Suryakumar Yadav admitted ahead of Saturday’s tournament opener that the injury appears to be serious.
He was quoted by ESPN Cricinfo as saying:
“He’s being assessed by the physios. But I feel, today we’ll know what’s going to occur. However it doesn’t look good, it’s not that great.”
While the Delhi-born cricketer adds depth to the defending champions’ batting, India have a robust bowling unit. Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh are prone to lead the pace attack, with Hardik Pandya serving because the seam-bowling all-rounder. Nevertheless, the team doesn’t have a reliable back-up option for Pandya in that role.
Siraj Was Included In India’s T20 World Cup 2024 Winning Squad
Meanwhile, Siraj was a part of the Asian side’s title-winning squad in 2024. Nevertheless, the right-arm pacer took just one wicket in three matches at a median of 57, though he maintained an honest economy rate of 5.18. He was later replaced by left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh within the latter a part of the tournament.
The Hyderabad-born bowler has not played a T20I since July 2024 and has featured in only 16 matches, picking up 14 wickets at a median of 32.28. Provided that the defending champions have a settled and powerful bowling attack, Siraj is unlikely to feature within the starting XI.
Suryakumar Yadav’s team will begin their campaign against the USA on Saturday, February 7, on the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
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