![Mohammed Siraj was absent because he was unavailable [Source: Sri Lanka Cricket]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1793800409784_MohammedSirajforIndia.jpg?type=hq)
Mohammed Siraj was absent because he was unavailable [Source: Sri Lanka Cricket]
India emerged victorious comfortably during the first India vs New Zealand ODI match at Eden Park on November 4. However, while the bowlers took on the Kiwi batters, one notable absentee from the playing XI was India's pace-bowling workhorse, Mohammed Siraj.
Arshdeep Singh took a four-wicket haul, while Gurnoor Brar starred with his three-wicket haul. However, Siraj’s absence was notably felt in the playing XI, even as fresh faces outshone others on the field. Nevertheless, after the match, a recent report revealed why Siraj was absent from the first India vs New Zealand ODI.
Mohammed Siraj wasn’t present in Auckland for IND vs NZ 1st ODI
As per a recent report from RevSportz Global, the reason Mohammed Siraj wasn't available for the first ODI was that he wasn't present in Auckland itself.
Siraj was engaged in playing the second unofficial Test for India A for which he was called up by the BCCI. Apparently, Siraj will join the ODI squad in Wellington sometime later.
For the unaware, the 2nd unofficial Test ended on Tuesday, with Siraj's absence from the ODI squad's training sessions being pretty much evident. As per sources, the team management has asked Siraj to join the squad in Wellington, where the second ODI of the five-match series is scheduled for November 7.
Speaking of his form with the ball, the 32-year-old India pacer impressed with his four-wicket haul in the unofficial Test against New Zealand A. Before that, Siraj was available for Hyderabad in the Ranji Trophy Elite, where he appeared in two matches, bagging three wickets at a strike rate of 66.00.
Will Siraj play IND vs NZ 2nd ODI?
It is likely that Mohammed Siraj will feature in the second ODI, replacing Auqib Nabi in the playing XI. Notably, among Arshdeep Singh, Anshul Kamboj, Gurnoor Brar, and Auqib Nabi, the latter performed the worst.
In the six overs Nabi bowled, he remained wicketless while conceding 33 runs. Meanwhile, Kamboj took two wickets, with Arshdeep and Gurnoor also shining with the ball, dismantling the New Zealand batting lineup for 185 runs.
