Former India player Navjot Singh Sidhu hit out at India captain Rohit Sharma for dropping Mohammed Siraj from the national squad after the Australia tour. Sidhu didn’t take a name but repeated what Rohit had said to justify the selectors’ move of removing the speedster. Sidhu commented after Siraj won the back-to-back Player of the Match awards in the Indian Premier League 2025.

He was adjudged the best player for taking three wickets against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. His second POTM award came against Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he claimed four scalps at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium.

Siraj has taken 9 wickets in four matches so far. When he was not considered for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Rohit blamed the bowler for not bowling well in the middle and death overs. “It is tough for any player, but Siraj hasn’t been able to bowl well in the middle and death overs. He has been good with the new ball, but we wanted someone who can deliver in every phase of the match, and hence Harshit Rana was selected,” Rohit had said at the time of the team announcement.

Sidhu took out his anger on the Indian captain after Siraj’s brilliant run.

‘He has answered everyone. Siraj has removed all the tags. You said he can’t bowl with the new ball. You mentioned that he is not impactful in the middle and death overs. Siraj has answered all the questions. He bowled straight and varied his pace. His slow balls, yorkers, and other variations were magnificent,” Sidhu said.