Where is Mohammed Siraj? Internet uproar after England ODI squad omitted

India’s ODI squad for the upcoming tour of England was announced on Sunday, June 21 with a few surprises. However, one name missing from the list quickly became a talking point among fans on social media – Mohammed Siraj.

The Indian pacer, one of the team’s most reliable fast bowlers across formats in recent years, has been omitted from the ODI squad after being pulled from the T20I leg of Britain’s tour against Ireland and England earlier this month.

At the time, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that the decision was taken as part of a workload management programme.

“Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj has been withdrawn from the Indian squads for the upcoming T20I series against Ireland and England,” the BCCI said in a media alert on June 9. “Following discussions between the BCCI medical team and the team management, Siraj has been advised rest as part of his workload management programme. The decision has been taken as an international precaution.” Social media points to Siraj’s absence from ODI squad for England Tour (Screenshot from X)

While the statement only covered T20I units, Siraj’s continued absence from the ODI set-up suggests that the selectors and team management have decided to extend the rest period.

ABUZZ SOCIAL MEDIA

However, the lack of an official explanation in the ODI team’s announcement has left fans searching for answers. Several users on X questioned the decision, with many describing Siraj’s omission as the biggest surprise of the group’s announcement.

“Biggest surprise from England’s series selection is no place for Mohammed Siraj in ODIs. Rested as part of workload management for Ireland and England T20Is but now not in ODIs either,” wrote one user. Social media was abuzz with Siraj’s absence (Screenshot from X)

Others likened his omission to the continued support of some fast bowlers.

“Once again ignored by Mohammed Siraj. He was not selected for the T20I series against England and Ireland and now he is also left out of the ODI squad. Meanwhile, Harshit Rana is still getting opportunities. On what basis? Nobody seems to know,” wrote another user. Siraj’s absence challenged the others’ consistent inclusion (Screenshot from X)

However, some supporters felt that the break could ultimately benefit the Hyderabad pacer, who has often reacted strongly to setbacks during his international career.

“Mohammed Siraj rested and now dropped. Good for Mohammed Siraj as he never backs down whenever he is out of India team,” wrote a fan. Social media points to Siraj’s absence from ODI squad for England Tour (Screenshot from X)

Not everyone was unhappy with the decision. A section of fans pointed to Siraj’s recent ODI comeback and claimed that his performances were not up to the high standards required to play for India. Several users have shared stats from his last 10 ODI appearances, suggesting the selectors may have looked beyond workload management when finalizing the squad.

So far, neither the BCCI nor the selectors have clarified whether Siraj’s absence is purely a matter of fitness-management or a selection decision. Until then, the fast bowler’s omission is likely to remain one of the biggest talking points India squad announced for tour of England. Social media is abuzz with questions over Siraj’s absence from India’s ODI squad for England tour (Screenshot from X)

ODI SQUAD FOR ENGLAND SERIES

Indian ODI Team: Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (subject to fitness), Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), KL Rahul (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Shranko Krishna, Brar.

T20I SQUAD FOR IRELAND T20I SERIES

Updated India Squad for Ireland T20Is: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma (vice-captain), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Prashavan Krishnan, Prince Sohavor Krishnan, Prince Sohavori.

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Published on:

21 Jun 2026 15:52 IST