“How did he disappear from ODI cricket?” - Aakash Chopra’s massive statement on Indian star amid IND vs SA 2025 series

Former India opener Aakash Chopra has questioned the absence of Mohammed Siraj from the ODI setup amid the ongoing series against South Africa. Chopra claimed that he cannot wrap his head around the fact that the star pacer gets picked for only Tests.

Siraj, along with Bumrah, was rested for the three-game ODI series against South Africa after a considerable workload in Tests. The Hyderabad-born cricketer was also dropped for the 2025 Champions Trophy. He returned to the side for the tour of Australia in October but managed only two scalps in three games.

Speaking in a video uploaded on his YouTube channel, the 48-year-old Chopra stated that he is baffled at the thought of Siraj now becoming only a one-format bowler. He also reminded that the right-arm pacer was prolific in white-ball cricket in 2023, stating:

"“Do you understand what is happening to Mohammed Siraj? I don’t. I can’t wrap my head around the fact that he’s become a one-format bowler. When did that happen? When Siraj plays Test cricket, everyone praises him for his passion, commitment, never-say-die attitude and his wicket-taking abilities. But how did he disappear from ODI cricket? He is playing domestic cricket but not part of the ODI setup. We felt it was a little unfair when his name was missing from India’s Champions Trophy squad. He was the highest wicket-taker for India in ODIs in the two years before that. Suddenly, his name is not there."

Chopra continued that it feels unfair to see the likes of Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna get a chance but not Siraj.

"Rest have played, whether it’s Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna but Siraj is nowhere to be seen. He is not there in ODIs and vanished from T20Is. But why and when did it happen? What’s the reason. Personally, I don’t know. Miyan magic no longer magical in two formats? When did he become a single-format player?”

The 31-year-old was notably the second-highest wicket-taker for India in ODIs in 2023, picking up 44 scalps in 25 games at 20.68.

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Team India aim for series win in decider against South Africa

Team India have won their last two ODI series against South Africa. (Credits: BCCI X)

Meanwhile, the Men in Blue will take on South Africa in the series-deciding third ODI on Saturday in Vishakhapatnam. India won the first match in Ranchi by 17 runs, defending 349 but the Proteas hit back in Raipur by chasing down 359 to square the series.

KL Rahul finally called it right at the toss and put South Africa in to bat. The Proteas were 1 for 1 in three overs at the time of writing.