Mohammed Siraj released from India's ODI squad. Here's WHY?

Barbados: India's pace spearhead Mohammed Siraj has been released from Team India’s ODI squad ahead of the three-match series against the West Indies that commences on Thursday here.

The right-arm pacer has a sore ankle and as a precautionary measure has been advised rest by the BCCI medical team, a BCCI statement on Thursday said.

The 29-year-old was part of the Test squad that won 1-0 against West Indies. Having played both games, Siraj picked up seven wickets, which included a fiery five-wicket haul in the first innings of the second Test.

Overall, Siraj has played 14 matches for India since the start of the year, the most for any bowler. Apart from that, he also played all 14 group-stage games for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League.

No replacement has been named for the pacer in the squad for the three-match ODI series.

In his absence, Shardul Thakur becomes the most experienced pacer in the squad and will be flanked by Jaydev Unadkat, Umran Malik and Mukesh Kumar along with the part-time pace of Hardik Pandya.

There is no dearth of experience in the spin department though, with Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav present in the squad.

India’s updated ODI squad: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli, Surya Kumar Yadav, Sanju Samson (wicket-keeper), Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Hardik Pandya (vice-captain), Shardul Thakur, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Umran Malik, Mukesh Kumar. (UNI)