Cricket News: Will Mohammad Siraj also be called up to the World Cup squad instead of Jasprit Bumrah?

Mohammed Siraj has been called a replacement for Jasprit Bumrah by BCCI, but only for the remaining two T20Is against South Africa. 

Jasprit Bumrah has been sent to Bengaluru for his back scans, after which National Cricket Academy staff will take a final call on his inclusion in the World Cup.

Mohammed Siraj, last featured in a T20I for India in February against Sri Lanka, is mainly seen in the red-ball format. He was latest seen in English county playing for Warwickshire against Somerset earlier this month, where he picked up a five-wicket haul.

So far, Siraj has played only five T20Is, picking up as many wickets at an economy of 10.45. Since 2020, he's been a regular feature for Royal Challengers Bangalore and was one of three retentions ahead of this year's auction. He can swing the ball both ways and carries the knack for giving crucial breakthroughs. 

Mohammed Shami or Mohammed Siraj, who will go into the XI match of the World Cup?

In the ongoing series, the Indian pace attack is led by Deepak Chahar and Arshdeep Singh in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. And both the seamers are doing a fantastic job.

Now, as the right-arm pacer Mohammed Siraj replaces Jasprit Bumrah in the series against South Africa, there are chances of him getting scrutinized, keeping in mind the T20 World Cup. If he manages to impress the selectors, he might get on the way to Australia with the main squad. 

"I believe India can bring Mohammed Shami or Mohammed Siraj for Bumrah in the World Cup. They are both good pace bowlers for Australian conditions," said ex-player Karsan Ghavri. 

All the cricket pundits will expect Mohammed Shami to replace Jasprit Bumrah in the World Cup squad owing to his vast experience on those pitches. But he has been out of action in the format since last November, which is a matter of concern. 

"The best guy to replace him (Bumrah) would probably be Mohammed Shami. But again, death bowling is a concern with Shami. (Bumrah's absence) it's going to be a massive blow for India's preparation," Wasim Jaffer told ESPN Cricinfo.

Even Aakash Chopra expressed his concern over choosing Mohammed Shami and said, "He (Shami) is technically not an ideal replacement for Bumrah. He might bowl better than Bumrah with the new ball, but he will be shaky in the death overs."

Death over concerns with Mohammed Shami might bring Mohammed Siraj into serious contention for the World Cup. Team India will thus be making a tough choice between Mohammed Siraj (based on his performance against South Africa) and Mohammed Shami (based on his performance in warm-up matches).