IND vs NZ: India's star fast bowler Mohammed Siraj was a part of India’s 2024 T20 World Cup-winning team and now has been snubbed from the 2026 T20 World Cup team as the mega event will begin next month. For the 15-member team, the selectors have picked Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Harshit Rana as their pacers, along with Hardik Pandya as the fourth option.

Since Siraj has been playing continuously in the longest format, he has been in and out of India's ODI team and is now completely out of the T20I team.

But Siraj, who is currently a part of India's three-match ODI series against New Zealand, has backed his World Cup exclusion owing to workload management.

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“I was rested from the last ODI series against South Africa because I had bowled 40 overs in the second Test (vs South Africa in Guwahati)," Siraj told reporters in the pre-match press conference.

“I haven’t been in and out. I played in Australia (ODI series), then was rested (against South Africa). For a fast bowler, adequate rest is very important. Been playing Test matches consistently, and you end up working out a lot. You need to refuel to maintain the rhythm and focus," he said.

He thinks that the selectors have chosen a formidable side for the mega event.

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“I played the last T20 World Cup and not this time. For a player, playing in a World Cup is a different dream – playing for your country. The team is quite good on paper and in form. My best wishes to them. Keep the trophy here," he added.

The Suryakumar Yadav-led side has been put in a group along with teams like the Netherlands, the USA, Namibia, and Pakistan.

The hosts were leading by 1-0 in the ongoing series, but then New Zealand made a brilliant comeback as they won the second match and leveled the series. The Men in Blue should look deep within themselves after this loss, as they fielded a formidable playing XI against an opponent whose key players were missing.

“The team environment is very good. There is strong input from the seniors. Wins and losses happen, but the atmosphere in the dressing room is very healthy, especially as we prepare for bigger tournaments," he concluded.