' You will have to play him' - Aakash Chopra backs playing Mohammed Siraj over Prasidh Krishna and Shardul Thakur ahead of ODI World Cup 2023

Former India cricketer, Aakash Chopra came into support pacer Mohammed Siraj over Shardul Thakur and Prasidh Krishna for selection to India's ODI World Cup squad in 2023. Notably, the 17-member team that will travel to the upcoming Asia Cup in Sri Lanka, scheduled to begin on August 30, includes Siraj, Shardul, and Prasidh.

A cricketer-turned-broadcaster predicted that, with the ODI World Cup approaching, the think tank would need to support Siraj's inclusion in the lineup due to his strong performance in Asian conditions.

"Mohammed Siraj is brilliant. He has had a short career. 43 wickets in 24 matches at an average of 20.7 and an economy rate of 4.78. They are better than both Bumrah's and Shami's numbers. In Asia, his average is 16.57 and the economy rate is 4.51. His numbers in Asia are better than his numbers outside Asia. So, people who were talking about whether Shardul Thakur or Prasidh Krishna can be played instead of Siraj, you cannot play anyone. You will have to play Siraj only. You should play him," Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

The squad for the World Cup to be announced soon

The squad for the World Cup will be chosen after the Asia Cup, but it is unclear if the pace trio will make the cut or if there will be further alterations. Additionally, the Asia Cup will act as a practice match for the high-profile tournament, and the aforementioned pacers will aim to perform well in order to secure their place in the World Cup roster.

A five-day skill-enhancement camp is presently underway in Alur, Karnataka, for the members of the national team who are competing in the Asia Cup. On September 2, the Men in Blue will begin their campaign at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy against their bitter rivals Pakistan.

The team management will work to secure a fundamental setting for the premier ICC match, which will begin on October 5 and be played in India. The management will have another opportunity to assemble a strong team, though, when the ODI series against Australia is played in 2023, immediately following the end of the Asia Cup.