In a bold and passionate call, legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has demanded the removal of star pacer Mohammed Siraj for the fifth and final Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia.

Gavaskar believes it is time to be brutally honest with Siraj about his poor performances on Australian tracks that have been very favorable to fast bowlers so far in the ongoing five-match Test series.

Sunil Gavaskar calls for brutal honesty with Mohammed Siraj, urges his omission in New Year Test

Sunil Gavaskar has urged the Indian cricket team to take a firm stance and tell Mohammed Siraj that his recent performances with the ball have simply not been up to par so far in the ongoing Test series, as he suggested that the fast bowler should be eliminated for the crucial New Year Test.

Also Read: ‘I didn’t understand why…’: Rohit Sharma’s tactical errors in Boxing Day Test leave Ravi Shastri baffled

Mohammed Siraj’s performance against Australia in the ongoing Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) has raised eyebrows as the Indian pacer bowled 23 overs but failed to take a single wicket and conceded a whopping 122 racing at an alarming economy rate of 5.30. .

Siraj’s struggles were clear, with just three maidens in his spell, and India’s hopes of bouncing back in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 took a further hit as Australia already amassed 474 runs in their first innings , leaving tourists reeling. 164/5 at the end of day 2.

Siraj needs to be told he is being excluded from the team for non-compliance: Sunil Gavaskar

After the end of the Day 2 game in Melbourne, Sunil Gavaskar insisted that the Indian cricket team must stop sugarcoating the issue and give Siraj a clear message about his performance.

The legendary Indian batsman also believes that Siraj could do with being dropped rather than given a ‘rest’ as resting him could send wrong signals to others about his place in the team.

Also Read: Former India star slams Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir’s ‘pointless Akash Deep’ move at MCG Test

Sunil Gavaskar was quoted by Star Sports: “I think Siraj, perhaps, needs a little break. In the sense that I am not saying a break, it is necessary that they tell him that he is out of the team for non-compliance. There has to be a situation where you can’t beat around the bush.

“You have to be brutally direct and say, ‘Look, your performance hasn’t been up to par and therefore you’re being written off.’ When you start talking about ‘rest,’ players get the wrong ideas. They feel like they don’t need improve his game, but I think Siraj needs to be told, ‘Look, you’re not bowling as well as we expected.’ “That’s something that needs to be said.”

Sunil Gavaskar demands inclusion of Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana in SCG Test

In a bold suggestion, Sunil Gavaskar has called for the inclusion of Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana in the New Year’s Test against Australia, which will begin on January 3 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Sydney.

He feels that Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana would be excellent backs to Jasprit Bumrah and would provide a much-needed fresh boost to India’s fast bowling attack in the ongoing BGT 2024-25. Gavaskar signed off saying: “If you want to make two changes. Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana to support Jasprit Bumrah. “Of course, do it.”