🏏 Mohammed Siraj Returns to ODI Setup After Australia Tour Gap

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Key Takeaways

1🔄 Mohammed Siraj returns to ODI squad after October 2025 absence during Australia tour
2📊 Siraj maintains 5.2 economy rate and 28.45 bowling average across 76 ODIs
3💡 Four-pronged pace attack features Siraj, Rana, Krishna, and Arshdeep Singh for series
4🔮 Siraj's experience in high-pressure situations crucial for World Cup campaign preparation
5💬 Recall indicates fitness clearance and readiness for tournament cricket ahead of World Cup

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Mohammed Siraj is back in the India ODI squad after a two-month absence from the format. The pace spearhead, who last featured in October 2025 during India's tour of Australia, has been recalled for the three-match series against New Zealand starting January 11. Siraj's return represents a significant boost to India's bowling attack as the team fine-tunes preparations for the T20 World Cup. His inclusion alongside Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, and Arshdeep Singh creates a formidable pace unit capable of exploiting Indian conditions while maintaining the flexibility to adapt to tournament demands. The 31-year-old's experience in high-pressure situations makes him invaluable for India's limited-overs ambitions.

Siraj's Recent Form and Absence

Siraj's last ODI appearance came in October 2025 during India's Australian tour, where he contributed to India's bowling efforts in challenging overseas conditions. His absence from the squad for the South Africa series raised questions about his form and fitness, but the recall suggests the BCCI views him as essential for the World Cup preparation phase. In recent ODI cricket, Siraj has maintained an economy rate around 5.2 runs per over while averaging 28.45 with the ball—statistics that demonstrate his ability to control matches while maintaining wicket-taking potential. His experience across 76 ODIs provides tactical maturity that younger pacers still developing.

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The Pace Attack Architecture

India's pace bowling unit for the New Zealand series reflects a carefully constructed balance between experience and youth. Siraj's return complements the emerging talents of Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna, while Arshdeep Singh provides left-arm variation. This four-pronged attack allows India to rotate bowlers across the three-match series while maintaining quality. Historically, India's success in ODI cricket has depended on controlling the powerplay and death overs—precisely where Siraj excels. His ability to bowl in any phase, combined with his proven record in Australian conditions, makes him particularly valuable ahead of potential World Cup challenges in subcontinental pitches.

Tournament Preparation and Workload Management

Siraj's inclusion reflects India's strategic approach to the New Zealand series as a World Cup preparation platform. Unlike Hardik Pandya, who has been rested for workload management, Siraj's return indicates the selectors view him as fit and ready for tournament cricket. The series provides opportunities to test combinations, assess form in match situations, and build rhythm ahead of the World Cup. Playing across three matches in different venues—Vadodara, Rajkot, and Indore—will expose Siraj to varied conditions while allowing him to regain match sharpness after his two-month absence from ODI cricket.

Building Momentum for the World Cup

Siraj's comeback carries broader significance for India's World Cup campaign. His experience in high-pressure situations, combined with his proven ability to perform in tournaments, makes him a cornerstone of India's bowling strategy. The next three matches represent crucial opportunities to fine-tune combinations and ensure all bowlers are operating at peak efficiency when the World Cup begins in February-March 2026.