Mohammed Siraj Breaks Silence On Rohit Sharma’s ‘old Ball’ Criticism Ahead Of IPL 2025

Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj has been a consistent performer across all formats in recent years, emerging as one of India’s most reliable fast bowlers. However, his exclusion from India’s Champions Trophy 2025 squad became a major talking point among fans and cricket experts. The selectors’ decision to drop Siraj in favor of younger pacers like Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, especially in the absence of star bowler Jasprit Bumrah due to injury, left many questioning the reasoning behind this move.

Adding fuel to the controversy, India’s captain Rohit Sharma justified Siraj’s omission by pointing out his “ineffectiveness” with the old ball. But in a bold and confident reply, Siraj has dismissed Rohit’s claims with hard-hitting stats, making it clear that he was unfairly sidelined.

Mohammed Siraj Responds to Champions Trophy Snub with Strong Stats

As IPL 2025 approaches, Siraj addressed the media and did not hold back while responding to the claims about his supposed weakness with the old ball. Speaking at a press conference ahead of the tournament, the Hyderabad-born pacer firmly challenged Rohit Sharma’s justification, backing himself with undeniable statistics.

“I have taken the most wickets with the old ball in the past year among the world’s ten fastest bowlers. My economy rate is also low. The numbers speak for themselves. I have performed well with both the new and old ball,” Siraj stated, confidently shutting down the narrative that he struggles in the latter half of an innings.

This was a direct counter to Rohit’s explanation during the Champions Trophy squad announcement. At the time, Rohit had justified the selection choices by saying:

“Siraj’s effectiveness comes down a little bit if he’s not going to take the new ball. We discussed it at length, and we are only taking three seamers there because we wanted all the all-rounders with us.”

However, Siraj made it clear that he wasn’t convinced by this reasoning. His statement was not just an emotional reaction but was backed by hard data, proving that he remains a potent force in all stages of the game, including the death overs.

Tactical Decision or Selectors’ Miscalculation?

Despite Siraj’s stellar performances in recent years, India’s selectors opted for a different strategy, prioritizing all-rounders and younger pacers. While Siraj had been a key figure in India’s pace attack alongside Bumrah and Shami, the selectors chose to experiment by bringing in Arshdeep Singh and the relatively inexperienced Harshit Rana.

Rohit Sharma, while addressing Siraj’s exclusion, stated:

“It’s unfortunate that he (Siraj) has to miss out, but we had no option but to get the guys who can perform a certain role.”

From a tactical standpoint, India’s approach paid off in the short term as Harshit Rana delivered impressive performances during the tournament, playing a crucial role in India’s Champions Trophy triumph in Dubai. However, many analysts still believe that dropping Siraj was a risky gamble that could have backfired.

Siraj’s Determination to Move Forward

Despite the disappointment of missing out on the Champions Trophy, Siraj maintained a mature and composed outlook, choosing to focus on his game rather than dwell on selection politics.

“Look, selection is not in my hands. I have only a cricket ball in my hands, and I wanted to do as much as I can with that. I don’t want to put pressure on myself thinking about selection, as I want to focus on my performance,” Siraj added.

His words reflected a strong mindset—one that is determined to prove his worth on the field rather than engage in off-field debates.

From RCB to Gujarat Titans: A New Chapter in IPL 2025

While the Champions Trophy snub may have been a setback, Siraj has already shifted his focus to the upcoming IPL 2025 season, where he will be playing for Gujarat Titans (GT). Having been released by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) before the IPL 2025 mega auction, Siraj found a new home at GT, where he will be expected to lead the pace attack in the absence of injured Mohammed Shami.

This move marks a fresh chapter in Siraj’s IPL career, and the speedster is eager to make an impact.

“Yeah, as a player, it remains in the back of your mind that there is a tour of England and the Asia Cup, but I don’t really seriously think about it. My focus is on IPL and doing well for Gujarat Titans and helping them win another IPL title,” he said.

Gujarat Titans, winners of IPL 2022 and runners-up in IPL 2023, have a strong squad, and Siraj’s addition will bolster their bowling attack. This IPL season presents a golden opportunity for him to showcase his skills and remind the selectors of what they missed.

Siraj’s Road to Redemption: Eyeing England Tour & Asia Cup 2025

While Siraj’s immediate priority is the IPL, he knows that the upcoming England tour and Asia Cup 2025 are crucial milestones in his international career. The tour of England, in particular, holds great significance for any fast bowler, given the swing-friendly conditions that can amplify Siraj’s strengths.

Having previously delivered match-winning performances in England, Siraj will be hoping to force his way back into the Indian squad with a dominant IPL campaign.

If he can deliver consistent performances and emerge as one of the top wicket-takers in IPL 2025, it will be difficult for selectors to ignore him for upcoming tournaments.

Final Thoughts: Will Siraj Make a Triumphant Comeback?

The Mohammed Siraj vs. Rohit Sharma selection saga has undoubtedly been one of the biggest talking points in Indian cricket ahead of IPL 2025. While Rohit and the selectors took a calculated risk by dropping Siraj for the Champions Trophy, the pacer has made it clear that he still has a lot to offer.

With a point to prove and a new challenge at Gujarat Titans, Siraj is gearing up for a season where he can let his bowling do the talking. If he can dominate the IPL, his comeback to the Indian team will be inevitable.

For now, all eyes will be on Siraj’s performances in IPL 2025—will he use this opportunity to silence his critics and make the selectors regret their decision? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Mohammed Siraj is not backing down.

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