The Indian cricket team will be taking part in two important tournaments in the near future; first one is Asia Cup 2023 and second is ICC ODI World Cup 2023. The BCCI has announced the Indian squad for Asia cup and most probably the same team will also play in World Cup as well.
Indian selectors have kept five pacers in the team – Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur and Prasidh Krishna. There is no denying the fact that Bumrah and Shami will definitely find a place in the playing eleven because of their experience but who will be the third one is the big question at the moment.
Mohammed Siraj is currently the highest ranker pacer for India as he is on the 5th rank and many former cricketers including Aakash Chopra are backing him for the position of the third pacer.
While speaking on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra stated, “Mohammed Siraj is brilliant. He has had a short career. 43 wickets in 24 matches at an average of 20.7 and an economy rate of 4.78. They are better than both Bumrah’s and Shami’s numbers. In Asia, his average becomes 16.57 and the economy rate is 4.51.”
He further said, “You cannot play anyone. You will have to play Siraj only. His numbers in Asia are better than his numbers outside Asia. So, people who were talking about whether Shardul Thakur or Prasidh Krishna can be played instead of Siraj, you cannot play anyone. You will have to play Siraj only. You should play him.”
Has Aakash Chopra made a valid point? What do you think?
