IRE vs IND: Did India make mistake by not selecting Mohammed Siraj over Prasidh Krishna in T20Is?
Mohammed Siraj had a great time in IPL 2026 with Gujarat Titans.
India’s white-ball tour of Ireland has not started the way the team would have hoped. After winning the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 earlier this year, the Men in Blue entered the two-match T20I series as clear favourites but suffered a surprising 34-run defeat in the opening game in Belfast.
The series is also the beginning of a new era under T20I captain Shreyas Iyer. With several senior players rested and youngsters getting new opportunities, the team management is trying different combinations before the much-awaited England tour.
Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy debut could not have gone worse. Ireland stunned India by 34 runs victory, posted 182/9 and then bowled the visitors out for 148. It was a historic result for Ireland, but for India, it also raised a bigger question: are the right fast bowlers being backed for this format?
India’s bowling wasn’t up to the mark, except for some of the overs bowled by Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh. Ireland was able to recover after a shaky start, and one of the reasons was that India did not maintain the same pressure throughout the game.
Why was Mohammed Siraj unavailable for IRE vs IND T20I?
Mohammed Siraj was originally selected for both the Ireland and England T20I series. However, the BCCI later withdrew him from the squad as part of his workload management programme.
Siraj had a busy schedule over the last few months, playing in T20 World Cup 2026 IPL, and the one-off test against Afghanistan. To avoid any injury concerns ahead of a long international season, the selectors decided to rest him.
On the other hand, Prasidh Krishna had entered the Ireland series with confidence after taking a five-wicket haul in the final ODI against Afghanistan. However, his return to T20Is against Ireland did not go well.
The right-arm pace conceded 57 runs in his 4-over spell, while his final over leaked 27 runs, the most expensive over bowled by an Indian against Ireland.
Mohammed Siraj vs Prasidh Krishna T20I Stats Comparison
| Player | Mat | Runs | Wickets | Best | Econ | 4w | 5w |
| Mohammed Siraj | 17 | 481 | 17 | 4/17 | 7.75 | 1 | 0 |
| Prasidh Krishna | 6 | 277 | 8 | 3/41 | 11.54 | 0 | 0 |
Why could Mohammed Siraj have made a difference?
Mohammed Siraj has become one of India’s most reliable fast bowlers across formats in recent years. Siraj also brings plenty of experience especially in high-pressure situations and his biggest is bowling with new ball.
During IPL 2026, Siraj picked up 19 wickets in 17 matches for the Gujarat Titans. Siraj’s experience and control could have helped India restrict Ireland to a lower total that accelerated in the final overs.
The management will want Siraj fully fit for the bigger assignments instead of risking an injury in a short bilateral series. At the same time, this tour will also give players like Prasidh Krishna an opportunity to prove themselves at the international level.
Why did Mohammed Siraj miss the Ireland T20I series?
Siraj was rested by the BCCI as part of his workload management programme ahead of a busy international schedule.
Can Mohammed Siraj return for the England T20I series?
No. The BCCI had already withdrawn him from both Ireland and England T20I squads as part of his workload management plan.
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Amit Patel is a passionate sports enthusiast and a devoted Virat Kohli admirer who proudly supports Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Having been involved in sports from a young age, he has played chess at the district level and represented his college in various competitions. Amit closely follows Indian cricket, with a special interest in tracking young talents and rising stars making their mark at the highest level. Alongside his love for the game, he is an experienced sports content writer who enjoys crafting stories that connect with fans.