Mohammed Siraj flies back home after being rested for ODIs against West Indies

Mohammed Siraj (Pic: AFP)

Star Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj has reportedly flown back home after being rested from the three-match ODI series against West Indies starting Thursday.

The bowler flew back with the rest of the Test returnees in Ravichandran Ashwin, Ajinkya Rahane, KS Bharat and Navdeep Saini.

Siraj was anticipated to lead a pace attack that also includes the all-rounder Hardik Pandya, Jaydev Unadkat, Shardul Thakur, Mukesh, and Umran Malik while Mohammed Shami remained rested.

However, according to ESPNcricindo, the BCCI decided to rest Siraj from the ODI part of the West Indies tour due to his workload.Â

India have the Asia Cup from the end of August to the middle of September, followed by a three-game home series against Australia in September, during a hectic time leading up to the domestic ODI World Cup in October.

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Siraj, who was not included in the T20I squad for the Caribbean tour, took seven wickets in the two Tests, including a five-for in the first innings on a flat Port-of-Spain court to spark a batting collapse for West Indies on the fourth morning.

Siraj's last ODI was against Australia in March 2022 at home. He finished the series with five wickets, the most for India and the series' second most. Siraj's 43 ODI wickets since the start of 2022 are the most by an Indian bowler.

The series will bear great significance as it marks the start of India's preparation for the 2023 ODI World Cup, with just about two months left for the marquee event. On the other hand, the home side will look to make amends in the 50-over format after the embarrassment of not qualifying for the biggest tournament in the sport. This is the first time the two-time champions will not be part of the quadrennial event.

(With agency inputs)