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Despite taking 71 wickets in 44 ODI matches played so far, Mohammed Siraj failed to find a place in India’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad, which was announced on January 18.
Atul Wassan wants Mohammed Siraj and not Harshit Rana as Jasprit Bumrah’s replacement in India’s CT 2025 squad. (Picture Credit: AP)
Former Indian fast bowler Atul Wassan wants selectors to pick Mohammed Siraj in India’s Champions Trophy 2025 squad as a replacement for Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah, who last played for India in the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, is out of action these days due to a back injury. There are question marks over his participation in the 2025 edition of the ICC Champions Trophy, which starts on February 19.
Wassan, who played four Tests and nine ODIs for India in 1990 and 1991, feels if Bumrah is available, then India will start the eight-team ICC tournament as favourite but in his absence even India will not face many problems.
“Look, Bumrah has done more work than he was expected to do in Australia. If Bumrah is not there, it’s Shami, so I think we are covered. If Bumrah comes, it’s a lottery. If Bumrah and Shami both come, we are certainly the favourites to win the tournament. Rohit is in form, Virat is due, so I think our team is good. But even without Bumrah, I think we are still okay,” Wassan told CricketNext on the sidelines of Restaurants Cricket League 2025– Season 3 launch.
If, in case, Bumrah misses out on a place in the Indian team due to injury-related issues, then Wassan wants India to consider Mohammed Siraj over the likes of Harshit Rana and Varun Chakravarthy.
Wassan feels Siraj is a proven performer, and his experience will benefit India in the pressure matches.
“Look, there are matches in Dubai. In the UAE, the conditions are slow, and sometimes there’s dew at night as well. So, you need experienced players. Nowadays, it’s not like, unless the total wicket is green or completely empty, then you think about it. When there are neutral pitches, then you go with the best you have. There are a lot of factors in cricket. It’s not black and white. So, I think the players who have played 50-60 matches for India, who have undergone the pressure, it’s better to play them rather than getting excited and playing a new guy,” Wassan said.
“So, if we are talking about Siraj and Harshit, I will play Siraj. Because he is a proven entity, he has done it. I won’t waste his experience. I will play the one who has played 100 matches. Because in such a big pressure encounter, even if a new player is bowling well, he can be switched,” he added.
The cricketer turned commentator also came out in support of India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir, who is making headlines for various reasons since his appointment as Rahul Dravid’s successor in July 2024.
Wassan feels the former left-handed batter should be allowed to operate the side the way he wants to and see if he can get the desired results.
“Strong personalities have extreme reactions. Either you totally love them or you hate them. So, I think the ones who send these decisive signals are sometimes very successful, so we have to go. But if you have given him the charge, then I think whatever he wants to do, he should be allowed to do. If he doesn’t deliver after that, then throw him out. If he does, then let him do it,” Wassan said.
