Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj has reportedly joined India's ODI squad officially ahead of the second of the ongoing five-match Test series in New Zealand. Siraj missed the opening match of the bilateral ODI series between the India National Cricket Team and the New Zealand National Cricket Team as he was rested after an unofficial Test match.

The Indian cricket team registered a comfortable win to kick off their ODI series. In the rain-affected match in Auckland, the Men in Blue claimed a 5-wicket win in a low-scoring match on November 4.

Team India has been preparing for Tests amid the ODI series

As the Indian cricket team will face the Blackcaps in all three formats of the game, the management has sent most of their available key players to New Zealand for preparations. Amid the ODI series, after the conclusion of the five T20Is, India continues their preparations for the upcoming Test matches against New Zealand. The series will be crucial for the Shubman Gill-led side as they are still hoping to seal a place in the final of the 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.

Mohammed Siraj has cemented his place in the Test team. But as he has the capability to serve the team in the limited-over formats as well, the Indian team management has been considering the experienced pacer for the ODI series. Former Team India cricketer Mohammad Kaif raised questions about India's team selection for not considering Siraj for the opening 50-over match.

Mohammed Siraj joins ODI squad ahead of IND vs NZ 2nd ODI match

Cricinfo, in its latest report, confirmed that the management rested Mohammed Siraj during the first ODI match as he featured in the drawn second unofficial Test at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. In this unofficial match, he picked up 4 for 118 across 35 overs in the only innings he bowled.

In the previous match against New Zealand, utilising the overcast conditions well, the Indian pacers bundled the home team out for only 185 runs. India played the match at Eden Park with four pacers - Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar, Anshul Kamboj and Auqib Nabi. While Sing, Brar, and Kamboj did well, Nabi was impressive without taking a single wicket.

Will Mohammed Siraj play in the following 50-over match?

Will the Indian team management make any changes in their playing XI for the second match, which will be at the Wellington Regional Stadium on November 7? It will be interesting to see if they take a call on Nabi, in the presence of Mohammed Siraj.

The Test series is scheduled to start on November 19 at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. Test specialists Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja are set to play in the series. Doubts remain about the keeper-batter Rishabh Pant as he continues his rehabilitation process at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Pant is at CoE because of a side strain. It is yet unknown whether he will be available for any of the matches of the 2-Test series against New Zealand.