Mohammed Siraj, one of India’s prominent fast bowlers, opened up about his exclusion from the 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. The tournament, scheduled from February 7 to March 8, will see Suryakumar Yadav lead a strong Indian side that includes Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Harshit Rana as pace options, along with versatile all-rounders and spinners in the squad. Siraj, who has picked 14 wickets in 16 T20Is, expressed disappointment but remained supportive of the team. "I played in the last T20 World Cup, but not this time. For a player, playing in a World Cup is a dream; playing for your country is even better. The team is quite good on paper and in form. My best wishes to them. Keep the trophy here," he said.                        

Beyond addressing the snub, Siraj also emphasized the importance of workload management for fast bowlers. Having been rested during India’s previous ODI series against South Africa, Siraj explained, "I was rested from the last ODI series against South Africa because I had bowled 40 overs in the second Test against them in Guwahati. For a fast bowler, adequate rest is very important. Been playing Test matches consistently, and you end up working out a lot. You need to refuel to maintain the rhythm and focus."

Siraj’s comments come on the eve of India’s deciding third ODI against New Zealand in Indore, a match that promises a thrilling contest after both teams won one game each in the series so far. While Siraj won’t be part of the T20 World Cup squad, he continues to focus on performing for India and staying match-ready. His honesty, professionalism, and insight into player workload highlight his commitment to the game and the team’s overall success. Fans will be watching closely as India aims to regroup and build momentum for the T20 World Cup.