'Lelo rest, bass World Cup jeeta dena' - Fans react as Mohammed Siraj gets rested for ODI series vs West Indies

Team India are working on managing the workload of their key players. Mohammed Siraj who was supposed to take part in the three-match ODI series against West Indies flew back home with the rest of the players who were part of the Test squad only – Ravichandran Ashwin, Ajinkya Rahane, KS Bharat, and Navdeep Saini. He is reportedly rested for the ODIs against West Indies to keep him fresh in the build-up to the ODI World Cup 2023.

Advertisment

Shardul Thakur with 50 wickets in 35 games will now be leading the pace contingent for India. The rest of the members are fairly inexperienced – Umran Malik, Jaydev Unadkat, and Mukesh Kumar. Mukesh Kumar, in fact, would be a debutant whenever he’s given a chance in the upcoming series. With Hardik Panya already on the roster, Team India will not look for someone to replace Siraj.

Mohammed Siraj is expected to play a key role for India in Asia Cup and World Cup

Notably, Team India has a busy schedule. After the current tour, they will participate in the Asia Cup ODI 2023. They’ll also play a three-match ODI series against Australia before they start their World Cup campaign. Mohammed Siraj is expected to be an integral part of India’s World Cup squad. Therefore, his rest makes sense. He can be given a few chances in the series vs Australia to keep his match fitness levels up to scratch and keep him in the groove.

Advertisment

Siraj performed admirably in the Test series, picking up seven wickets including a five-wicket haul. He was good in the World Test Championship against Australia as well when he claimed a four-wicket haul. His IPL 2023 wicket tally accounted for 19 wickets in 14 games. He has been in good form and it would be important for him to manage his workload with two important upcoming multi-lateral events.

Following the three ODIs, Team India will contest five T20Is, including a few games in the USA. They have already won the Test series 1-0 and will be looking to get the wins in the two limited-over series as well.

Here’s how fans reacted:

Ha bhaut thak gyaa hogaa !! 2 test match khel kr

— HoPeR (@ReLaStiCfAn) July 27, 2023

He got his fifer in tests

— Meh-yeow Life (@pgboon) July 27, 2023

He's too good for Waste Indies. He should take rest indeed.

— Mission World Cup 23 (@rohancric947) July 27, 2023

Rohit Sharma never Supported this guy man

— Foko 𝕩 (@flyfokofly) July 27, 2023

What ya kya mazakh ha ? Aaga Asia cup ha aur world cup uska liya prepare kab hona ha inko sirf rest karwao aur kuch nhi

— Furqan Mehboob (@ch__furqan) July 27, 2023

Sabko rest do aise kaise aur sab ghumne do sabko cancel karo series bichare ipl khel kar thak gye hain fir Aisa cup aur wc bhi to haarna hai inhe. Rest jaruri hai sabko

— Prashant Bhardwaj🇮🇳 (@sharmapacific) July 27, 2023

We are left with Thakur, Unadkat, Umran and Mukesh.... Nice. Arshdeep Should have been in West Indies.

— CRICKET ADDICT (@Cricaddictt) July 27, 2023

Why..?.....when bumaraha was fit he never got rest. He is young nd should beeb given to play all games

— Rishav Baghel (@ImRcbians) July 27, 2023