Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers has come out in support of Mohammed Siraj, describing the Indian pacer as one of the unluckiest players to miss out on India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad. According to de Villiers, Siraj’s omission was not a reflection of form or ability but a tactical decision influenced by team balance and evolving demands of T20 cricket.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, the former Proteas skipper explained that India’s selectors were forced to make tough calls while finalising the pace attack. AB de Villiers stressed that management prioritised flexibility and depth, especially in batting contributions from bowlers, rather than picking specialists alone.
“We see Siraj in the ODI squad, he is one of the unlucky guys to miss out. But that is once again down to the balance,” AB de Villiers said. “You have got Bumrah and Arshdeep. Harshit can hold the bat as well. So there are your three seamers.”
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De Villiers further highlighted a noticeable shift in India’s T20 strategy, suggesting that fast bowling is no longer the primary focus in the shortest format. Instead, teams are increasingly relying on spin options and all-rounders to control the middle overs and add batting depth.
“I think that is the reason why you went for Harshit because Siraj is only an outright bowler, and they do not want to focus too much on seam bowling,” he added. “The focus is on the spinners. If they get wickets with the seamers upfront, they almost see it as a bonus in a way.”
Siraj, who last played a T20I for India in July 2024, found himself edged out as the team leaned towards multi-dimensional players. The inclusion of Harshit Rana, who can contribute valuable lower-order runs, provided India with added balance alongside Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh in the pace department.
Despite missing the T20 World Cup squad, Siraj remains an integral part of India’s white-ball plans. His recent return to the ODI setup for the January series against New Zealand underlines the selectors’ continued faith in his abilities, particularly with an eye on the 2027 ODI World Cup.
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AB de Villiers, who previously shared the Royal Challengers Bengaluru dressing room with Siraj, concluded that the pacer’s absence from the T20 squad is more about India’s evolving approach than any dip in quality. As T20 cricket continues to change, team combinations and versatility are increasingly dictating selection calls.
