“Siraj not playing is beyond my understanding” – Former India batter slams management after NZ vs IND 2026 1st ODI

Former India batter Mohammad Kaif slammed the team management for not playing pacer Mohammed Siraj despite their win in the first ODI against New Zealand. The visitors began the five-match series with a five-wicket victory.

Siraj has been included in India’s squad for the ongoing ODI series. They played four pacers – Arshdeep Singh, Anshul Kamboj, Auqib Nabi, and Gurnoor Brar in the first game. Despite four pacers playing, Siraj not being included in the XI was beyond Kaif’s understanding.

However, he reckoned that the Men in Blue may have gone with their logic of batting depth, considering Anshul, Gurnoor, and Nabi bring a bit of batting ability compared to Siraj.

“I am a little unhappy that Siraj is not getting chances. He is a proven bowler. Is the theory to try new bowlers for the next six months and look at the new lot? I don’t know. But Siraj not playing is beyond my understanding. It is not good if they have dropped Siraj, thinking Anshul, Gurnoor, and Nabi can bat a bit. This has become a trend now. That is why even Kuldeep is not playing,” he said in a video on his YouTube channel.

Further, Mohammad Kaif opined that the fear of a top-order or middle-order failure may be prompting India to maintain the batting depth, which he felt could be the only reason for Siraj’s exclusion. However, he reckoned that the team was setting a wrong trend by doing so.

“I think there is some fear that if there is a top-order collapse and Rohit and Kohli do not fire, which is why they are playing Anshul, Gurnoor, and Nabi for batting depth. I do not understand any other reason why Siraj is not playing. If he is in the squad, it means he is fit and available. I think batting is the only reason. But I feel they are setting a wrong trend. If these guys are proven bowlers, it raises questions about why they are not getting a chance, even in the absence of Bumrah and Hardik. Siraj and Kuldeep are facing issues due to not having batting skills.”

Siraj featured in the second unofficial Test between New Zealand A and India A and displayed fine form. He picked up four wickets, returning figures of 4/118 from 35 overs.

Mohammad Kaif raises key question regarding Indian selectors and management

In the same video, Mohammad Kaif questioned why Mohammed Siraj was being picked in the ODI squad if the Indian team only wants to play him in Tests. He questioned whether the selectors and management were on the same page.

“If they consider Siraj only for Tests, why is he being picked in the squad? Is there no coordination between the selectors and management, then? If there is no coordination, then this is bad. If Siraj is in the squad, he has to play. It is unfair to him if he is there and not playing,” he said.

Siraj has played only four ODIs in 2026. He has an impressive record in the format overall. In 51 matches, he has picked up 77 wickets at an average of 25.67 and an economy rate of 5.15.

Edited by Rishab Vm