Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan wants the team’s think tank to consistently back Mohammed Siraj in ODIs ahead of the 2027 World Cup. Pathan reckons Siraj can play Mohammed Shami’s role in the ODI showpiece. 

Shami was at his absolute best in the 2023 ODI World Cup, taking 24 wickets in seven matches at a stunning average of 10.70. The veteran pacer had ended the tournament as the leading wicket-taker despite playing only seven games.

Meanwhile, Siraj returned to the ODI setup in the ongoing three-match ODI series against New Zealand. Siraj returned with impressive figures of 2-40 in eight overs he bowled in the series opener at Baroda, accounting for Will Young and Zakary Foulkes.

“Mohammed Siraj is now a senior bowler, he comes into that category now. Sure, he is brilliant in Tests, but if he is a regular new-ball bowler in ODIs, then we can expect him to take on Mohammad Shami’s role in the 2027 World Cup. We need at least three good, quality, solid, fast bowlers in South Africa, and Bumrah picks and chooses games, and has not played a single ODI since 2023 ODI World Cup Final, so we need to keep other bowlers ready in case there is an injury,” Irfan Pathan said on his YouTube channel.

On the other hand, Pathan reckons either Harshit Rana or Arshdeep Singh will need to make way for Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI in the long run heading into the World Cup.

“One of the three frontline pacers might have to make way for Kuldeep Yadav, and I think it will be one of Harshit Rana or Arshdeep Singh, because India already have batting till No.8. India are solid favorites in this series, so I hope that they don’t win 2-1, but instead get a 3-0 result,” Irfan Pathan said.

India is chasing a target of 301 runs against the Kiwis in the series opener.