India’s fast bowler Mohammed Siraj has revealed that he initially believed captain Suryakumar Yadav was joking when he received a call informing him of his inclusion in India’s squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Siraj was brought into the team as a replacement for Harshit Rana, who was ruled out due to injury just a day before the tournament began.
The late change came as the BCCI moved quickly to strengthen India’s pace attack alongside Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah. However, India faced another setback on the eve of their opening match when Bumrah was sidelined due to illness, forcing the team to rely on Siraj sooner than expected.
Siraj Delivers Impact Performance in Tournament Opener
Playing his first T20 International since July 2024, Siraj made an immediate impact with the ball. He produced a disciplined opening spell, bowling a fuller length, and picked up two early wickets. Siraj ended with figures of 3 for 29 in four overs, putting India in control as the United States slipped to 13 for 3 inside the fourth over.
Siraj later said he realised the seriousness of the selection only after receiving confirmation from team management. He described playing in a World Cup as a dream for any cricketer and emphasised the importance of consistent hard work.
India Overcomes Batting Collapse to Secure Victory
Despite Siraj’s strong start, India’s batting struggled in the opening match. The defending champions found themselves at 77 for six in the 13th over following a top-order collapse. Captain Suryakumar Yadav steadied the innings with a composed 49-ball knock, guiding India to a competitive total.
Chasing the target, the United States attempted to rebuild through contributions from Milind Kumar (34), Sanjay Krishnamurthi (37), and Shubham Ranjane (37). However, none of the batters could take control of the chase.
After the Powerplay, India’s spin attack tightened the contest. Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel combined effectively, conceding just 48 runs and taking three wickets across eight overs. Their disciplined bowling ensured India maintained control as the match progressed.
India eventually secured a 29-run win on Saturday, February 7, marking a challenging but successful start to their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign.
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