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Mohammed Siraj Should Replace This Indian Star in Champions Trophy Squad: Aakash Chopra
Follow UsSiraj is India's leading wicket-taker in ODIs, among pacers, since 2023
Former India batter Aakash Chopra has called for Mohammed Siraj's inclusion in the ICC Champions Trophy squad. While Siraj is the most likely candidate to come into the squad in case Jasprit Bumrah misses out, Chopra has called for the pacer to replace Yashasvi Jaiswal regardless of the Bumrah situation.
Bumrah, who is currently nursing a back injury, could be ruled out of the eight-team event if he fails to recover in time.
Siraj, who was previously the No. 1 bowler in ODI cricket, has also been India's leading wicket-taker (47) among pacers in the format since 2023. Jaiswal, on the other hand, made his ODI debut against England in Nagpur and was dropped for the next game to make way for Virat Kohli.
“The batting order is looking set. Rohit has started scoring runs. Shubman Gill is our vice-captain, and he is in good form. Virat Kohli will eventually return to form. Even if he doesn’t, god forbid, India are not going to drop him. Shreyas Iyer is at No. 4. At No. 5, whether it’s KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, or Axar Patel, the slot is settled," Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
"One of the two — Rahul and Pant — will have to be left out. And then you have an extra batter.
“You might not require Yashasvi Jaiswal. That’s a possibility. You wanted to maintain a left-right, left-right combination in the batting order. Now, you won’t be able to do it. You have played your hand, and that has backfired," he added.
Bumrah is believed to be training at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. A decision on his availability for the Champions Trophy will take place shortly.