AB de Villiers: Siraj “Unlucky” to Miss Out, But India Is Well Prepared
Former South African great AB de Villiers has sympathised with Mohammed Siraj after the fast bowler was left out of India’s T20 World Cup squad. De Villiers described the omission as unlucky, while also saying India have covered their bases with a deep pool of options.
De Villiers’ take
De Villiers acknowledged Siraj’s abilities and the fine margins that often decide international selection. He suggested that leaving a bowler of Siraj’s calibre out comes down to a tough call for selectors rather than a reflection of the player’s quality. At the same time, de Villiers emphasised that India’s bench strength means the team has a variety of skills to call on in different match situations.
Why the decision felt harsh
- Form and impact: Siraj has shown he can bowl aggressively with pace and extract bounce on helpful surfaces.
- Match-up value: His ability to bowl at the death and generate awkward bounce makes him valuable in T20 cricket.
- Fine margins: Selectors often weigh minor differences in skill sets, match plans and balance—so good players can miss out.
India’s options and balance
De Villiers pointed out that India’s squad selection is driven by variety. For a global tournament, selectors tend to prefer a mixture of:
- Experienced match-winners who can hold nerves under pressure
- Specialist death bowlers and swing/seam options for different pitch conditions
- Spin variety and batting depth to cover slow and turning surfaces
That combination can leave little room for equally capable players, especially when the squad size is limited.
What this means for Siraj
Being left out of a tournament squad is disappointing, but it isn’t the end of the road. Siraj remains a prominent name in India’s fast-bowling pool and can force his way back with strong domestic and franchise performances. De Villiers’ comments underline the idea that selection is sometimes about timing as much as talent.
Final thought
AB de Villiers’ verdict is a reminder of the intensity of competition at the international level: talented players can be unlucky in the selection lottery, yet teams like India feel confident because of the depth they possess. For Mohammed Siraj, the focus is simple — keep performing and the next opportunity will follow.