Indian fast bowler, Mohammed Siraj, who has just been excluded from India's ODI squad for the England series and the Champions Trophy, will also miss the upcoming Ranji Trophy match.

He is likely to miss Hyderabad’s match against Himachal Pradesh on January 23rd, report says due to workload he (Mohammed Siraj) won’t be able to play the upcoming match of Ranji but will feature in the final group game against Vidarbha. 

According to reports, a Hyderabad Cricket Association official said, “He has some workload concerns so will not play the first game, But will play the last game of final group vs Vidarbha”. 

Why was Siraj not picked up for the Champions Trophy squad?

Despite playing a recent test series - the Border Gavaskar Trophy and top-ranked ODI bowler in the ICC ranking chart, Siraj didn’t make himself in the Champions Trophy. Since 2023, he has taken 47 wickets in the 50-over format.

Also Read: Watch: Captain Rohit Sharma assures India's best attempt to win ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Nevertheless, Indian captain Rohit Sharma doesn’t believe in Siraj's potential as he said in a recent press conference with selector Ajit Agarkar. 

He said. "Siraj's effectiveness comes down when the ball gets older".

So, Rohit Sharma and Ajit Agarkar decided to select Arshdeep Singh instead of Mohammed Siraj. 

Indian squads for the home ODI series against England and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 have been announced on Saturday (January 18). However, the experienced pacer Mohammed Siraj has been surprisingly dropped from both squads. In the press conference, Indian captain Rohit Sharma hinted why the 30-year-old right-arm fast bowler isn’t in the ODI team. 

India are set for the home five-match T20I series against England, starting on January 22. Then India will host a three-match ODI series against England before traveling to Dubai for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, starting on February 19.

See Also: Jasprit Bumrah doubtful for the England ODI series

Mohammed Siraj took 20 wickets in Australia

Mohammed Siraj has missed out on all the white-ball squads for the upcoming assignments. Although he took 20 wickets in the recently completed Test series in Australia and finished as the fourth most wicket-taker in the series, he has been criticised for underperforming on that tour. 

Siraj was the star of the Asia Cup 2023 (ODI format) Final against Sri Lanka, where his six-wicket haul destroyed the Lankan team for only 50 runs. After that match, Siraj took 18 wickets in 15 ODIs with an average of 38.55 and an economy rate of 5.95. 

It’s unfortunate if he misses out: Rohit Sharma on Mohammed Siraj

In the press conference, Indian captain Rohit Sharma clarified that they wanted a helpful bowler who can be effective with both the new and old balls. While Siraj’s effectiveness comes down with the older ball, the Indian captain has chosen the left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, who has 12 wickets in eight ODIs. Arshdeep likes to dominate in the early powerplay as well as in the slog overs with his incredible swing and yorker deliveries. 

Rohit said, “Siraj’s effectiveness comes down if he doesn’t use the new ball. It’s unfortunate if he misses out.” 

Siraj has taken 100 wickets in 36 Tests, 71 wickets in 44 ODIs, and 14 wickets in 16 T20Is.

The 30-year-old Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj completed his 100 Test wickets after picking up his only wicket in the fourth innings of the Sydney Test. 

On the third day of the Sydney Test, India set a fourth innings target of 162 runs for the hosts Australia. Although Prasidh Krishna picked up the first three wickets when the hosts were 58 runs, Australia comfortably finished the game with six wickets in hand.

Australian opener Usman Khawaja played a crucial role in guiding Australia to the comfortable chase of 162 runs to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Mohammed Siraj dismissed Khawaja as the left-handed batter was caught behind for 41 off 45 balls. It was the only wicket for Siraj in the innings, which helped him to complete his 100 Test wickets in 36 matches. 

GAME ON! 🔥#MohammedSiraj picks up a timely wicket of #UsmanKhawaja against the run of play! 💪#AUSvINDOnStar 👉 5th Test, Day 3 | LIVE NOW! | #ToughestRivalry #BorderGavaskarTrophy pic.twitter.com/Y0HloMzgeH

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) January 5, 2025

Siraj became the 10th Indian pacer and 24th Indian bowler to pick up 100 Test wickets. While he has played all his Test matches under the ICC World Test Championship, the right-arm fast bowler became the second Indian pacer and fourth Indian bowler to record 100 wickets in the tournament history. 

See Also: Virat Kohli Reminds Everyone of the Sandpaper Gate Incident at the Sydney Test

Indian bowlers with 100 wickets in the ICC World Test Championship

Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj ended the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 with 20 wickets in 10 innings with an average of 31.15 and a strike rate of 47.1. 

Most wickets in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25

It was the first time when Siraj picked up 20 wickets in a Test series. 

Mohammed Siraj’s best bowling performances in a Test series

The thrill of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 continues on the fourth day of the fourth Test in Melbourne. On the fourth day, the former Indian captain Virat Kohli showed his leadership brain once again, which led to Steven Smith’s dismissal at a crucial time. 

By bowling out the visitors India for 369 runs in the second innings of the Melbourne Test, the hosts Australia have earned a healthy lead of 105 runs before beginning their second innings of the Test match. 

However, the Australian batters struggled against the Indian pacers on the fourth-day pitch of the Melbourne Test as the Aussies were struggling at 91/6.

Also Watch: Rishabh Pant brilliantly runs out Mitchell Starc

Steven Smith scored 13 runs

Steven Smith, who scored crucial 140 runs in the first innings of the Test match, was dismissed for 13 runs off 41 balls in Australia’s second innings. While he was an important name in the Test match, the Indian players were desperate to take his wicket very quickly. 

Virat Kohli: Kone se Kone se

Former Indian captain Virat Kohli shouted to instruct the bowlers how to deliver Smith. It worked really well as Smith lost his wicket cheaply. 

The stump mic took Kohli’s voice where he was instructing the bowler, “Kone se Kone se, Har ball kone se, usko pasand hain kone se.” It meant that using the corner of the crease. 

Later, the former Indian wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta clarified that it helped to deceive the batter as it was generally meant for coming into the wicket. However, Siraj produced a widish delivery to Smith, and the former Aussie captain fell into the trap by losing his wicket. 

Virat 🤝 Siraj

Kohli's "𝙆𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙨𝙚" plan worked like magic as Siraj sent Smith back to the dugout! 🤩#AUSvINDOnStar 👉 4th Test, Day 4 | LIVE NOW! | #ToughestRivalry #BorderGavaskarTrophy pic.twitter.com/xNP2jCXMrM

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 29, 2024

From 80/2 to 91/6

This important dismissal triggered a crucial batting collapse in the Aussie middle order. Before that dismissal, Australia were at 80/2. Suddenly, the hosts were struggling at 91/6 as they lost four wickets for just 11 runs. 

On Day 4 of the Brisbane Test between India and Australia, Mohammed Siraj found himself at the center of criticism from Sunil Gavaskar for his questionable decision-making during a crucial moment in the 62nd over.

What happened?

During Pat Cummins’ over, Ravindra Jadeja was focused on shielding Siraj from facing too many deliveries, as Siraj was a lower-order batsman. Jadeja carefully faced the first four balls, intending to take most of the strike to build a good score for India. However, the last two balls had to be faced by Siraj.

On the 5th ball, Siraj tapped a delivery between extra cover and cover and looked for a single, despite there being close fielders around. Jadeja, realizing there was no run, sent him back. However, when the fielder’s throw missed the stumps, Siraj ran for an overthrow, surprising Jadeja. Siraj quickly attempted for 1 run after the overthrow, moving to the non-striker’s end, leaving Jadeja puzzled.

Sunil Gavaskar questions Siraj's cricketing sense

Sunil Gavaskar, who was on commentary at the time, strongly criticized Siraj’s behavior. Gavaskar remarked, “He has no cricketing sense. He should have played the two balls for his team.” He further pointed out the lack of awareness in Siraj’s decision, emphasizing that Jadeja, as the set batsman, should have been allowed to face more deliveries in the next over.

The outcome of Siraj’s actions proved costly. In the very next over, bowled by Mitchell Starc, Siraj faced several bouncers and was dismissed on the last ball, caught behind after edging a delivery.

While the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 is at its peak, visitors India had a great first session of the second day of the crucial Brisbane Test match. After Steven Smith-Marnus Labuschagne's partnership frustrated the Indian pacers, Mohammed Siraj’s bails swap trick quickly brought luck in the visitors’ favour. 

Jasprit Bumrah provided a strong start

India started the second day of the Brisbane Test strongly as the pacer Jasprit Bumrah dismissed both the Aussie openers cheaply. After Usman Khawaja was caught behind for 21 runs, new opener Nathan McSweeney once again couldn’t find his rhythm and was caught at the second slip after scoring only nine runs off 49 balls.

Although Australia lost both their openers in the first half an hour, experienced Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne were controlling the Indian pacers. While the Indian pacers set the tough questions for the Aussie batters, the experienced duo was handling the situations despite some hard moments. 

Watch: Teammates set emotional farewell on Tim Southee's last Test

The bails swap drama between Mohammed Siraj and Marnus Labuschagne

It was the first ball of the 33rd over of the innings, when the Indian pacer Siraj had an lbw appeal against Steven Smith, but the umpire rejected that. While Smith and Labuschagne had a leg-bye run on that delivery, Labuschagne faced the next ball. It was a dot ball, and Siraj then walked towards the batter’s stump and switched the bails of the wicket. While one bail fell down, Labuschagne brought the bails to their original position.

THE BAILS EXCHANGE....!!!! 😄

- Siraj & Labuschagne changing the bails, A fun moment at Gabba.#INDvAUS #AUSvIND #Gabba pic.twitter.com/fg0MDqDXWb

— RAFI AN (@Rafi_anee) December 15, 2024

Once again the bails swap trick brought luck for the bowling team, as in the next over, Labuschagne was caught at the slip after Kohli completed his second catch of the day. Nitish Kumar Reddy got that crucial wicket as Australia scored 75/3. Labuschagne was out for 12 runs off 55 balls. At the lunch, the hosts scored 104/3 in 43 overs. 

Nitish Kumar Reddy gets Labuschagne followed by an aggressive celebration of Virat Kohli 🔥 pic.twitter.com/JPVBNwriPe

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 15, 2024

Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj, who had a heated moment with the Adelaide Test hero Travis Head, was booed once again on the rain-interrupted opening day of the crucial Brisbane Test. 

The Brisbane Test is the third Test of the five-match Test series between the hosts Australia and the visitors India. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 started with India’s massive victory by 295 runs at Perth. However, Australia made a strong comeback in the Test series by winning the day-night pink ball Test match at Adelaide, where Travis Head’s batting played a vital role for the hosts. 

In the Adelaide Test, while Head scored 140 runs off 141 balls with the help of 17 fours and four sixes, Australia earned a massive 157-run lead at the end of the first-innings battle. Siraj finally ended Head’s furious innings as the Australian left-handed batter was bowled. Siraj, who conceded a sixer on the previous delivery, had a wild celebration after dismissing Head. Soon, Head and Siraj had a little heated moment, where the Aussie batter reacted, and Siraj gave a send-off by pointing him towards the dressing room. 

See Also: Brisbane Test, Day 1: Rain frustrates opening day

Brisbane fans booed Mohammed Siraj

While the Adelaide fans cheered for their hero Head, soon they booed Siraj after that incident. The situation hasn’t changed yet, as Siraj has been booed on the first day of the Brisbane Test. It shows that the Aussie fans haven’t taken lightly the Siraj-Head heated moment. While Australia scored 28/0 at the stumps of the opening day of the Brisbane Test, Siraj had the bowling figures of 4-2-13-0.\

Big boo for siraj from the crowd#AUSvIND #TheGabba pic.twitter.com/rQp5ekoIak

— ٭𝙉𝙄𝙏𝙄𝙎𝙃٭ (@nitiszhhhh) December 14, 2024

Talking about that heated matter, Head claimed that he just jokingly said to Siraj “well bowled” after his dismissal. He also claimed that he was disappointed in his reaction. However, Siraj said that Head lied about that incident.

Both Siraj and Head were punished

The International Cricket Council (ICC) punished both Siraj and Head as both the cricketers have received one demerit point each. Moreover, Siraj has been fined 20 percent of his match fees.

India's brutal hammering by a margin of 10 wickets in the Adelaide Test has been a major talking point in recent times. But it is not the only subject that is dominating the headlines. Siraj's on-field verbal spat with Head has been buzzing the internet for quite some time now. This incident has sparked strong reactions from several cricketing legends (retired and present) from both nations.

While a vast majority of the viewers held critical views on the on-field controversy, the ICC quickly sprung into action to settle the issue once and for all. As a form of punishment, Siraj received one demerit point and was docked 20% of his match fees. However, on the flip side, Head got away with one demerit point and was surprisingly not charged with any monetary fines as was the case with Siraj. 

See also: ICC punishes Siraj and Head for their on-field incident

Bhajji not impressed as ICC imposes harsh fine on Siraj  

While speaking to Star Sports, Harbhajan was visibly not pleased with ICC's decision to punish Siraj on financial grounds and expressed his displeasure about the same.  

“Well, I think ICC is a bit too strict on players. These things happen in the ground. Obviously, forget what has happened and move forward. The players have patched up and talked to each other. Anyways, ICC being ICC has sanctioned the players. Let’s put that aside now and let’s move forward which is obviously, Brisbane. Let’s focus on cricket rather than all these controversies. Enough is enough." 

However, in the end, he stressed that the matter should not prolong much further as the ICC has passed a resolution and the two players reportedly patched up right after the end of the second Test. Furthermore, he urges the cricketing fraternity to now shift their focus to bigger aspects of the game that have the potential to define the outcome of the series. 

Piyush Chawla in alignment with Harbhajan Singh's viewpoint on this saga  

Indian spinner Piyush Chawla also extended his support to Harbhajan Singh on this recent controversy, suggesting that the matter should be closed since the ICC has acted on it. According to him, it is difficult to ascertain what exactly was said during that moment, and believes that there is no point in picking sides. 

"You can't really say who was wrong, who was right here. What I feel is that this should be the end of this thing right now. There's no on this thing to the next match or the fourth test match, and just that, what I feel personally is, that things will definitely get heated from the next Test match again, but what incident happened here, should leave it here in Adelaide." 

India received a crushing blow after their defeat in Adelaide by 10 wickets. Besides, South Africa's 2-0 series win against Sri Lanka have thrown them out of the top two positions in the WTC table. With so much at stake, India's upcoming Test match in Brisbane will be of paramount importance.  

The heated verbal exchange between Travis Head and Mohammed Siraj lit up the Adelaide Oval in the recently concluded pink-ball Test which was handsomely won by Australia by 10 wickets. Tempers flared and words were exchanged the moment Siraj knocked Head over with an unplayable yorker. Head's blistering 140 powered Australia to a crushing win over India but the debate regarding their on-field altercation continues to rage on. 

Although, while speaking about his performance at the end of the day's play, Head claimed that he said 'well bowled' to Siraj after being bowled but his claim was quickly confronted by Siraj and his ardent supporters back home. Head claimed that Siraj had misunderstood him but the latter rubbished his claims and stated that no such comment was mentioned by Head at the time of his dismissal. 

See also: Mohammed Siraj claims Travis Head lied about heated moment in Adelaide Test

Matthew Hayden weighs in on this ongoing spat

The ongoing verbal row has attracted the attention of former Australian batting legend Matthew Hayden. While taking his countryman's side, Hayden opined that he could "lip-read" and felt that Head had indeed said "well bowled" instead of something far more sinister as Siraj had suggested earlier.  

"There is no need to take further action on that. It was an incident that neither party really enjoyed. I don't think the cricket public enjoys that sort of reaction. He has bowled a wonderful ball, let's not forget that. An innings that was absolutely superb, it was a really significant moment. The removal of Travis Head. He said 'well bowled'. I could lip-read. But I suppose, in the heat of the battle there is going always going to be misinterpretation. But the point is my opinion, all is fair in love and war when it comes to the actual removal of the batter."

But Hayden refrained from raining the alarm bells and suggested that such occurrences are fairly common in high-octane rivalries. Since their infamous spat, both Head and Siraj were seen hugging each other by the end of the match thus burying the hatchet and resolving the misunderstandings that had cropped up during the second Test. 

What happened next?

The on-field verbal altercation brought the game into a momentary disrepute and the action did not go unnoticed by ICC. Quite understandably, both Head and Siraj have been penalized by the ICC by issuing one demerit point. As with the series, the ongoing five-match BGT series stands at 1-1 with the next Test slated to be played in Brisbane on December 14. 

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has punished both the Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj and the Australian batter Travis Head for their involvement in the on-field heated argument during the recently concluded Adelaide Test. 

During the second day of the day-night pink ball Adelaide Test match between Australia and India, when Siraj bowled Head, the Indian pacer had a furious celebration. While Head voiced that, the Indian pacer gave a send-off by gesturing towards the dressing room.

Mohammed Siraj and Travis Head received one demerit point; Siraj also fined

Both Siraj and Head have been punished for that incident. While both have received one demerit point each, the Indian pacer has additionally received a 20% fine of the match fees. It was the first offence for both players within the last 24 months. 

Head has been sanctioned for breaching Article 2.13 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to the “abuse of a player, player support personnel, umpire or match referee during an international match.”

On the other hand, Siraj has breached Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon dismissal."

Match referee Ranjan Madugalle proposed those sanctions. Both players have admitted their respective offences and accepted the respective sanctions. 

See Also: Harbhajan Singh recalls controversial Sydney 'Monkeygate' Test in 2008

Both gave different views

After the stumps of the second day, Head claimed that he jokingly said to Siraj, 'well bowled'. He also claimed that he was surprised at Siraj's reaction and disappointed with his return reaction. 

However, Siraj had a different claim. The Indian pacer said that Head lied about that incident by claiming his only saying 'well bowled'. According to Siraj, Head started the on-field confrontation by abusing him. 

During the evening of the opening day of the Adelaide Test, frustrated Siraj threw the ball at the batter Marnus Labuschagne for stopping him from delivering the ball at the last moment due to movement at the sight screen.