“A quality player is a quality player” - Sanjay Bangar opens up on Mohammed Siraj’s exclusion from Champions Trophy

Former Indian cricketer and commentator Sanjay Bangar has questioned the selectors and the Indian team management for omitting star pacer Mohammed Siraj from the Indian ODI squad for the ODI series against England and ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to start on February 19 in Pakistan and Dubai.

The actual reason behind Indian selectors dropping Siraj is his ineffectiveness with the old ball. Siraj is known for leaking runs in the death overs. However, he is one of the top bowlers in the world of cricket currently with the new ball.

"This question was asked to Rohit as well in the press conference. And we got an idea of what the team management is thinking because they believe that Siraj's utility, they would want to exploit more so with the new ball. But it's always a little bit risky to categorize players as okay; they can only be very effective in a particular phase," said Bangar as quoted by Hindustan Times.

“I am a little bit surprised as to how Siraj was part of the winning team as well. Because in some of the games, he did really well in the middle overs as well. The game against Pakistan in Ahmedabad comes to my mind, where he came and broke the partnership. So, I feel that he has been India's prime bowler, even if you remember the Asia Cup. He took a fifer just close to nothing against Sri Lanka in the finals. So, I think there is a little bit of surprise, and the reason given is that they are looking at who is better-suited phase-wise. But I think a quality player is a quality player irrespective of the phase," he added.

That said, if Jasprit Bumrah fails to meet the fitness standards by the start of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Mohammed Siraj still has a chance to make it to the showpiece event.

“I don’t think both can play in the single line-up” - Sanjay Bagar on Pant vs Rahul

KL Rahul, who scored 452 runs in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, had an exceptional tournament except for the final against Australia. Sanjay Bangar feels Rishabh Pant has to wait for more time before he comes directly into the XI in ODIs.

“I don’t think both can play in the single line-up,” Bangar said. He also mentioned that the team might continue to rely on players like Jadeja for their left-handed batting option, which makes it tougher for Pant to break in,” he concluded.

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