Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj has been withdrawn from India’s upcoming T20I series against Ireland and England after initially being named in the 16-member squad to be led by Shreyas Iyer. The BCCI announced the decision on Tuesday, saying it was taken following consultations with the medical team and team management.
Prasidh Krishna, who last played a T20I in November 2023, has been named as Siraj’s replacement.
On Monday, after the conclusion of the one-off Test against Afghanistan, Team India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said he had no update on Hardik and Rohit’s fitness.
“I have honestly not got the news whether they have been cleared or not. But I’m sure they will be there. Whatever I heard, they are fine, but they, they have to go and do that fitness test or whatever the rule is,” Kotak said when asked about the status of the duo’s fitness test,” Kotak told reporters in the post-match press conference.
Virat Kohli has already been ruled out of the ODIs against Afghanistan due to a hamstring injury he picked up in the IPL 2026 final against the Gujarat Titans. Yashasvi Jaiswal has been named as his replacement.
It’s not known when Kohli will check in at the CoE to get a fitness clearance. As of now, it’s expected that the former India captain would recover in time for the three-match ODI series against England in July.
“Following discussions between the BCCI Medical Team and the team management, Siraj has been advised a period of rest as part of his workload management programme. The decision has been taken as a precautionary measure to ensure adequate recovery ahead of a long international season,” BCCI said in a statement.
India will play two T20Is against Ireland on June 26 and June 28 before taking on England in a five-match series beginning July 1 in Chester-le-Street.
Siraj recently featured in India’s record victory over Afghanistan in the one-off Test in Mullanpur. The match ended inside three days, with India securing an innings-and-300-run win. The pacer bowled 13 overs in the contest and picked up one wicket.
