Harbhajan Singh questions Mohammed Siraj’s absence in India’s Asia Cup squad

Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh feels Mohammed Siraj could have been included in India’s Asia Cup squad, which was announced on Tuesday. Siraj was left out of the 15-man squad as the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel picked Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, and Arshdeep Singh as the three frontline seamers.

 

Meanwhile, Siraj recently picked 23 wickets in five Test matches against England at an average of 32.43. Siraj returned with match-winning figures of 9-190 in the fifth Test match at Kennington Oval, London.

 

Siraj bagged 16 wickets in 15 IPL 2025 matches at an average of 32.93 and an economy rate of 9.24 for Gujarat Titans.

 

Harbhajan Singh said on his YouTube Channel, “I feel that Siraj’s name should have been included as well. Siraj bowled very well in the recent series. Yes, he did a lot of bowling in England, but he also got adequate rest. So he could have been included. If he had been taken, the team would have looked even stronger. The bowling unit would have seemed stronger. I feel that the “X-factor” that Siraj brings might be somewhat missed.”

 

On the other hand, Shreyas Iyer was also ignored by the selection panel despite the batter scoring 604 runs in 17 games at an average of 50.33 and a strike rate of 175.07 in IPL 2025 while leading Punjab Kings. The Turbanator said he was surprised after Iyer was left out.

 

Harbhajan added, “I had hoped he (Shreyas Iyer) would get a place in the team. He scored a lot of runs, played in the IPL final, and was in very good form. I thought his name could have been there. As for whose spot he would take, you have to see whose place it would have been. When someone has to be included or left out, a spot is made. But I did not see Shreyas Iyer’s name there, which surprised me a little.”

 

India will open their campaign against the UAE at the Dubai International Stadium on September 10.