India’s very talented fast bowler Mohammed Siraj was an inexplicable miss in India’s Champions Trophy team despite being a top-five ranked bowler in the ICC ODI rankings while India chose him at the time of selection. Siraj’s miss caused eyebrows to rise further when Jasprit Bumrah had to be sidelined due to back strain, but India instead preferred Harshit Rana in place of Siraj.

Mohammed Siraj Not Included In Champions Trophy Squad

The Hyderabad fast bowler, one of the few Indian cricketers playing all three formats on a regular basis, has been missing in action since the fifth Test against Australia at Sydney in early January. He was also excluded from India’s white-ball team for the series against England at home.

In spite of these disappointments, Siraj is optimistic and unperturbed. He has not opted to dwell on selection issues or allow outside pressure to influence his frame of mind, instead concentrating on remaining ready for the next opportunity.

Mohammed Siraj Opens Up About Champions Trophy Snub

“Look, selection is not in my hands. I have only a cricket ball in my hands and I wanted to do as much as I can with that. I don’t want to put pressure on myself thinking about selection, as I want to focus on my performance,” Siraj told PTI.

“Yeah aș a player, it remains in the back of your mind that there is a tour of England and the Asia Cup but I don’t really seriously think about it, as my focus is on IPL and doing well for Gujarat Titans and helping them win another IPL title,” he said.