WI vs IND 2023: Mohammed Siraj rested for ODI series to manage workload

Star India pacer Mohammed Siraj has been rested for the forthcoming ODI series against the West Indies, which is set to begin on Thursday, July 27. In order to manage the pacer’s workload, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decided to rest him for the 50-over games as he flew back to India alongside teammates Ravichandran Ashwin, KS Bharat, Ajinkya Rahane and Navdeep Saini.

Notably, the four players were a part of the red-ball squad and are not a part of the white-ball leg. Siraj was anticipated to lead the pace attack that also comprised all-rounder Hardik Pandya, Jaydev Unadkat, Shardul Thakur, Mukesh Kumar, and Umran Malik since senior pro Mohammed Shami was rested for the tour.

The upcoming two months will be very crucial not just for India but also for other teams participating in the ODI World Cup 2023. After the West Indies tour, India will be participating in the Asia Cup scheduled in August-September, which will be followed by Australia’s tour of India where the two sides will be squaring off for three ODIs.

With a packed schedule ahead, resting Siraj was the right decision, but the BCCI have not named his replacement yet. Notably, Siraj was not included in the T20I squad and hence, he will now be gearing up for the all-important Asia Cup. Siraj was a part of the two-match Test series against the Caribbean side, and he registered his best bowling figures in the second Test by picking up a five-wicket haul.

Before taking on the West Indies in the two Tests, India had played the World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval. He picked up five wickets in the game, which included a four-wicket haul in the first innings. Siraj played the WTC Final soon after completing his IPL 2023 campaign for the Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Siraj’s last ODI outing was against the Aussies when India hosted them in March 2023. He finished the series with five wickets to his name and emerged as the leading wicket-taker for the Men in Blue.