Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers made an enormous assertion on Indian star Mohammed Siraj forward of the T20 World Cup 2026. Siraj didn’t make it to India’s squad for the upcoming ICC occasion.
AB de Villiers reckoned that Siraj was among the many unfortunate Indian stars who didn’t discover themselves within the T20 World Cup 2026 squad. He mirrored that Harshit Rana was most well-liked over somebody like Siraj, given his means to contribute with the bat as effectively.
Nonetheless, Siraj has been included in India’s ODI squad for his or her upcoming collection towards New Zealand later this month.
“We see Siraj within the ODI squad, he is one of many unfortunate guys to overlook out. However that’s as soon as once more right down to the steadiness. You have acquired Bumrah and Arshdeep. Harshit can maintain the bat as effectively. So there are your three seamers. I believe that’s the reason why you went for Harshit as a result of Siraj is barely an outright bowler and they don’t need to focus an excessive amount of on seam bowling. The main target is on the spinners. In the event that they get wickets with the seamers upfront, they nearly see it as a bonus in a method. So Siraj is unfortunate however not less than he’s within the ODI plans shifting ahead for the 2027 World Cup,” he mentioned on his YouTube channel.
Siraj bagged seven wickets from 4 matches within the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025-26. He has picked up 183 wickets from 160 T20s.
AB de Villiers on India’s bowling assault for T20 World Cup 2026
India’s tempo assault for the T20 World Cup 2026 contains Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Harshit Rana because the three major pacers within the squad, together with all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube.
AB de Villiers highlighted the shortage of expertise with the brand new ball in worldwide cricket for Harshit Rana. Nonetheless, he believed that with Bumrah, Arshdeep, Hardik, and Dube, the overs could possibly be lined effectively. He reckoned that India had a powerful spin assault as effectively, masking all bases.
“The issue with Harshit Rana with the brand new ball is that he would not have numerous expertise on the worldwide degree. But when he may give you a couple of overs with Bumrah and Arshdeep, there’s sufficient overs after which Shivam and Hardik can replenish. In addition they cowl all bases with spin and that is the place they may give attention to attempting to win video games,” he mentioned.
India’s spin assault consists of Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Washington Sundar, and Axar Patel. AB de Villiers felt that the defending champions had all bases lined, with one or the opposite bowler being able to step up if the others had a tricky time.
“When Bumrah has a quiet evening a Kuldeep comes by means of and will get you 4 and vice versa. Then there’s Hardik coming by means of within the center and turning the momentum round. These are the type of championship groups you need, and India have gotten all these bases lined,” he added.
India will start their T20 World Cup 2026 marketing campaign on the opening day, February 7, towards the US of America (USA).
Edited by Rishab Vm
