Overview
- Siraj said the decision followed heavy Test workloads, noting he bowled 40 overs in the second Test against South Africa and was then rested from the ODIs.
- He defended chief selector Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir, framing his absence as part of managing a fast bowler’s schedule.
- He remains with the national side in Tests and is playing the New Zealand ODI series, which concludes with a decider in Indore on January 18.
- Hardik Pandya is the fourth seam option for the T20 World Cup, with Jasprit Bumrah leading the quicks.
- India open their title defence against the USA on February 7 in Mumbai and are grouped with Netherlands, USA, Namibia and Pakistan.