Former India opener Aakash Chopra has expressed surprise at India’s decision not to play senior pace bowler Mohammed Siraj in the first two ODIs against the West Indies. Chopra also feels that Siraj will play in the third ODI, with Prasidh
Krishna being ruled out due to injury as well. India are 2-0 up in the three-match series against the West Indies as well.

During a discussion on Cricinfo, he said: “He should play. I find it baffling that he can’t like find a place in India’s playing XI when [Jasprit] Bumrah and Arshdeep [Singh] are not there. There’s no Harshit Rana. And still, if he can’t find a place, it’s baffling. I think he will play [the third ODI] because Prasidh Krishna picked up an injury. With the series in the bag, Prasidh doing so well in the last 12-15 months, I think Siraj will get a game.”

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During the discussion, Aakash Chopra also questioned the narrative around Siraj struggling a bit with the white ball as well. Talking about his iconic spell in the 2023 Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka, he added that Siraj should not be added to the ODI squad if he is not going to be part of the playing XI as well.

“Not too long ago, he was one of India’s premier white ball bowlers as far as ODI cricket was concerned. He was a part of India’s World Cup winning T20 campaign as well. So, he’s not someone who can’t bowl with a white ball. There is enough proof to suggest that he can. The Asia Cup final comes to your mind. If he’s in the squad, he walks into the team. And if he can’t walk into the team, he should not be in the squad,” Aakash Chopra concluded.