Ex-Pakistan Cricketer Says Mumbai Players Control Indian Cricket, Questions Suryakumar Yadav’s Captaincy

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Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has made serious claims about Mumbai-based players having strong influence in the Indian cricket team. He pointed out that both Rohit Sharma (Test and ODI captain) and Suryakumar Yadav (T20I captain) are from Mumbai, which he believes shows the power of the Mumbai lobby in team selection.

Basit Ali on Mumbai Players’ Influence

India, under Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy, recently won the T20I series against England 4-1. Now, Rohit Sharma will return as captain for the upcoming three-match ODI series against England, starting on February 6. This series will be India’s last assignment before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Basit Ali said that instead of favoring Mumbai players, India should consider giving leadership to Rishabh Pant.

“The people from Mumbai are very strong. You see that Rohit Sharma is the captain for Tests and ODIs, and Suryakumar Yadav is leading in T20Is. If Rohit doesn’t go to England for the Test series, the name being considered is Jasprit Bumrah. In my opinion, Rishabh Pant should get the chance,” he said.

Basit Ali on Mohammed Siraj’s Exclusion

Basit Ali also criticized the selectors for dropping Mohammed Siraj from India’s Champions Trophy squad. He said that Siraj deserved a place in the team, especially after his strong performances in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he took 20 wickets in five Tests.

“Gautam Gambhir was praising him a lot in Australia, and now he is not even part of the squad. I am surprised. He should have been there,” Basit said.

Siraj was replaced by Harshit Rana for the ODI series against England. Basit suggested that India should include Siraj in the last two ODIs against England to test him alongside Harshit Rana.

“If India want to pick Siraj for the Champions Trophy, let him and Harshit Rana play together against England. That way, selectors will know whom to pick,” he added.

In ODIs, Siraj has taken 71 wickets in 44 matches at an economy rate of 5.18. However, he was not selected for the England series, with Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Shami, and Harshit Rana included in the 16-member squad.

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