Mohammad Siraj is a reliable fast bowler of the Indian team in Test cricket, but his place in ODI is not as strong as before. On the New Zealand tour, he did not become a part of the playing eleven in the first three ODIs. Since World Cup 2023, he has played only 10 ODIs and taken 9 wickets. During this period his bowling average was 47.44. Now questions are being raised about his not playing in ODIs and his method of preparation before the Test series. First understand, what happened to Siraj during the New Zealand tour? Now Siraj is with the team in Mount Maunganui for the fourth and fifth ODIs. Before the fourth ODI, he practiced for a long time with the new ball in the nets. Anshul Kamboj has left the ODI team to join the Test team. In such a situation, Siraj is likely to get a chance in the playing eleven. Why does Siraj need match practice before the Test? The Test series between India and New Zealand will start from November 19. The first Test will be played at the Basin Reserve in Wellington, while the second match will be played in Christchurch from November 27. Siraj is the main fast bowler in the Test team after Jasprit Bumrah. In such a situation, match practice can be important for them before the Test series. Bowling in the nets and bowling the ball to the batsman in a real match is a different experience. During the match, the bowler has to change his strategy according to the pitch, batsman’s technique and pressure. Siraj’s workload may also be there because Siraj’s fitness and workload are also important. He has played five matches since playing two Tests against Sri Lanka in August. These include three first class matches. Two matches were of Ranji Trophy and one was played for India A. In just one innings of the Test against New Zealand-A in Christchurch, Siraj bowled 35 overs and took four wickets. To understand the current ODI position of Siraj, who took 14 wickets in the 2023 World Cup, it is important to look at his performance before the 2023 World Cup. He was among the most effective fast bowlers in the world in the World Cup cycle from 2019 to 2023. Siraj’s bowling average of 18.61 was the best among fast bowlers who played at least 20 ODIs during this period. Bowling average tells how many runs a bowler spent to take one wicket. The lower the average, the better the performance is considered. Even in the 2023 World Cup, Siraj took 14 wickets in 11 matches. Due to his performance his place in the team was strengthened. Only 9 wickets in 10 matches after the World Cup. Siraj’s average since the 2023 World Cup final was 47.44. That means, to take one wicket, they had to spend more runs than before. Other Indian bowlers had better figures during the same period. Its effect was also visible on his place in the team. India had selected Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Shami among the fast bowlers for the 2025 Champions Trophy. When Bumrah was out before the start of the tournament, not Siraj but Harshit Rana was included in the team in his place. What is special about other fast bowlers?
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