India’s fast bowler Mohammad Siraj has been left out of the T20 World Cup 2026 squad, sparking widespread discussion among fans and analysts. In the midst of the debate, South African cricket legend AB de Villiers came forward to support Siraj, calling him “unlucky” and explaining that the decision was strategic rather than performance-related.
Strategy Over Performance
Speaking on his YouTube channel, AB de Villiers explained that India’s T20 team has opted for batting depth over selecting an additional specialist fast bowler. He noted:
“India already has Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh as the main seamers. Harshit Rana was preferred as the third seamer because he can contribute with the bat as well. Siraj is an excellent bowler, but he is purely a bowler. The team’s decision is strategic, not a reflection of his skills.”
Spin-Centric Approach
De Villiers emphasized that India’s primary plan revolves around spin bowling, with seamers providing early breakthroughs. He said:
“The idea is that if Bumrah and Arshdeep take early wickets, that’s a bonus. The real pressure will come from spinners like Kuldeep Yadav. India’s bowling unit is balanced to cover all situations. Even if Bumrah has an off day, Kuldeep can turn the game around.”
Bright Future for Siraj
De Villiers reassured fans that Siraj’s international career is far from over:
“He is unlucky to miss out on this T20 World Cup, but he remains part of India’s future plans. He is expected to play a major role in the 2027 ODI World Cup.”
Siraj had a strong IPL 2025 season with Gujarat Titans, taking 16 wickets in 15 matches, yet he did not play a single T20 international last year—a factor beyond his control.
Praise for India’s Team Depth
Finally, de Villiers lauded India’s squad, highlighting the value of all-rounders like Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube, who add crucial flexibility. He also noted that while Harshit Rana lacks experience, pairing him with Bumrah and Arshdeep provides a well-rounded and competitive bowling unit. According to de Villiers, India has chosen a balanced squad capable of winning under any conditions.
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