The decision comes as India prepare for a demanding international schedule, with multiple white-ball assignments across Ireland and England before a packed season ahead. In an official media advisory, the BCCI confirmed that Siraj would not participate in the T20I series against either Ireland or England following consultations between the board’s medical team and the national team management.
“Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj has been withdrawn from India's squads for the upcoming T20I series against Ireland and England,” the BCCI stated. “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.”
To fill the vacancy, the Men’s Selection Committee has named Prasidh Krishna as Siraj’s replacement for both T20I series. The move allows India to retain an experienced pace option while ensuring Siraj receives sufficient recovery time before returning to international action.
Siraj recently featured in India’s one-off Test against Afghanistan, where he claimed one wicket and contributed 22 runs with the bat. Although his return with the ball was modest, the fast bowler once again displayed the aggression and intensity that have become hallmarks of his game.
Prasidh Krishna was also part of the Afghanistan Test and returned figures of 3 for 43. The fast bowler last represented India in a T20 International in 2023 against Australia in Guwahati, where he went wicketless and conceded 68 runs.
The T20I squad for the UK tour already contains several notable changes. Shreyas Iyer has been appointed captain, replacing T20 World Cup-winning skipper Suryakumar Yadav less than six months after India’s title-winning campaign. The selectors have also included teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who is currently representing India A in the Tri-Nation Series in Sri Lanka.
India’s white-ball tour will begin with two T20 Internationals against Ireland, followed by a five-match T20I series against England. The tour will conclude with a three-match One-Day International series. Siraj remains available for the ODI leg after completing his scheduled rest period.
India’s updated squad for the T20I series against Ireland and England includes Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper), Ishan Kishan (Wicketkeeper), Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma (Vice-Captain), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Prasidh Krishna.
The decision to rest Mohammed Siraj highlights India’s increasing focus on player workload management as the national team balances immediate competition with long-term fitness planning. With a demanding international calendar ahead, the move reflects a strategic effort to preserve key players while maintaining squad depth and competitiveness across formats.
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