Former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik feels that Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj has been left out of the playing XI for the fourth ODI against New Zealand for multiple reasons, while sharing that he is slipping in the pecking order for the 2027
World Cup as well. He has yet to appear in the ongoing series, with Arshdeep Singh spearheading the attack.

“The sad part of that XI is Mohammed Siraj. I think he has not made the cut purely because of two things: How well Arshdeep and Gurnoor have bowled, and India do want to bat till No.8. I think they feel Aaqib Nabi is someone who can give them something with the bat at No.8 and hence he makes the cut. At this point of time, he is not on the top of the pile for the 2027 World Cup. I think there are a couple of bowlers who are ahead of him. This is from the Indian team’s perspective, personally it’s different,” Dinesh Karthik said on Cricbuzz.

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Dinesh Karthik also said the current bowling unit’s success in New Zealand and the team management’s desire for batting depth leave no place for Siraj in the side.

“I don’t understand it, but it is how the team sees him. We can sit here and feel for him. I don’t know whether he was at his best in the hot and humid conditions in Sri Lanka, but post that, he has not been needed in the playing XI. I hope Siraj gets a gig because he is a whole-hearted cricketer,” Murali Kartik said.

“It is a very interesting move to bring Kuldeep, which tells you that the pitch is definitely a lot flatter than what we have seen in the last two games. Kuldeep has been part of the side, but just has not been able to make it to the XI. The fact that he has made the playing XI for this game means that they are expecting this pitch to turn a little bit,” Dinesh Karthik concluded.