Aakash Chopra, a former player for India, believes it is unjust that Mohammed Siraj’s workload is not being discussed before the fourth Test match against England. He emphasized that the seamer has bowled numerous overs and consistently given it his all.
The fourth Test between India and England will be played in Manchester beginning July 23. The only Indian seamer to have participated in all three Test matches to date is Siraj.
In a video posted to his “Aakash Chopra” YouTube channel, the former India opener was questioned regarding Siraj’s workload before the Manchester Test.
“He works very hard. He bowls a lot of overs. Interestingly enough, no one is talking about him, and you feel it’s not fair that you talk about everyone, but not about him. However, he gives his 100 percent. Whenever he comes to bowl, he bowls wholeheartedly and runs in fast.”
Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra emphasized that Siraj never gives up, no matter what, and expressed disappointment at the Hyderabad seamer’s exclusion from India’s 2025 Champions Trophy squad.
“It’s great if there is something in the pitch, but even if it’s not there, he is not someone who gives up. You never see his shoulders drooping. You always see Siraj fighting. Siraj has been absolutely outstanding. I have only praise for him. He doesn’t ask for breaks. He was dropped from the Champions Trophy squad, and I didn’t like it at all.”
Aakash Chopra
Mohammed Siraj with 13 wickets at an average of 32.00 remains top of the wicket takers in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy where he has bowled six innings. He has made the most overs among the Indian bowlers (109) and is in the third position among the seam bowlers of both teams, behind Chris Woakes (121) and Brydon Carse (117).
Aakash Chopra Backs Arshdeep Singh’s Spot in Playing XI
Arshdeep Singh may be the all-format left-arm seamer India has been looking for, therefore Aakash Chopra was questioned in the same video if he should be used in Test matches.
“He definitely can, there is no doubt about that. However, seeing him playing at the moment seems like a dream. It doesn’t look like it will get fulfilled because you saw Prasidh Krishna in the first two matches, and then you saw Akash Deep as well. Akash Deep bowled okay in the last match and picked up 10 wickets in the game before that.”
Aakash Chopra
Although speaking on the point that Arshdeep is not likely to feature in the fourth Test, the former cricketer turned-commentator admitted that the Punjab seamer is also the best candidate in the mix of the left-arm pacers.
“I feel Jasprit Bumrah will play the fourth match as well. So we shall see who is ready to play when the fifth Test match comes because the conditions at the Oval will also be slightly different, but I do get your point. We want a left-arm pacer to get ready, and Arshdeep is currently ahead of everyone in that race.”
Aakash Chopra
Arshdeep Singh is yet to make Test debut. He is the highest ranked wicket-taker in T20 International matches in Indian history with 99 scalps in an average of 18.30 in 63 innings but has made no more than nine One Day International matches and to credit, he has 14 dismissals in an average of 23.00.
