Mohammed Siraj has finally addressed his exclusion from the 2025 Champions Trophy squad, where India chose Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, and Harshit Rana as their seamers. Siraj was also left out of the ODI series against England before the Champions Trophy, with his last ODI appearance being in July 2024 against Sri Lanka in Colombo.
Siraj was asked about the snub as he prepares for the 2025 IPL season. In a statement to The Indian Express, the 31-year-old said:
“Look, the selection isn’t something that’s not in my control. Right now, I only have a cricket ball, and I focus on making the most of that. I don’t want to burden myself with thoughts of selection; I prefer concentrating on my performance,” said Siraj.
Gujarat Titans acquired Siraj for INR 12.25 crore during the mega auction after being released by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
“As a player, of course, the upcoming tour of England and the Asia Cup are in the back of your mind. But honestly, My main priority right now is the IPL, and I want to perform well for Gujarat Titans to help them win another IPL title,” he added.
His last appearance for India was during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in January. However, his most recent competitive match came in the Ranji Trophy, where he represented Hyderabad against Vidarbha, starting on January 30.
“After playing for several years, we rarely get much rest. But now that I have some time off, I’ve focused on improving my fitness and refining my bowling skills. I’ve been working hard on my new and old ball techniques, particularly on my slower deliveries and yorkers. I’ve really dedicated myself to these areas, and I’m excited to see how things unfold in this IPL,” Siraj concluded.
Looking ahead, Siraj is expected to form a formidable pace attack for Gujarat Titans alongside Kagiso Rabada. The Indian pacer will be eager to showcase his best performance as he aims for a spot in India’s T20 squad ahead of the Asia Cup, which will be held in the T20 format.