Mohammed Siraj Gets John Campbell with a Stunning Delivery on ODI Return

On October 3, 2026, during the third ODI at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Stadium in New Chandigarh, bowler Mohammed Siraj returned to India’s ODI playing XI after clean bowling West Indies opener John Campbell. The delivery sent Campbell’s stumps flying and elicited an immediate response from the Indian camp, nipping back sharply off the pitch and smacking into the off-stump.

Campbell was dangerous early on, but he was dismissed for 10 off only 7 balls. The wicket highlighted Mohammed Siraj ability to generate danger and extract movement even in conditions that often favour batsmen in 50-over cricket.

Mohammed Siraj was rested for the first two One-Day Internationals of the three-match series against the West Indies before being called up for the final. Although Siraj’s selection piqued the interest of fans eager to see the pacer back in action, India had already secured the series with an unassailable 2-0 lead entering the third game, rendering the match a dead rubber.

How was India’s third ODI organised?

After winning the toss and deciding to bat first, the Men in Blue, led by skipper Shubman Gill, scored an incredible 351 for 7 in 50 overs. Siraj and the rest of the Indian speed attack were able to play confidently in the second innings because their bowlers had a large target to defend due to the score.

Given that the ODI World Cup 2027 is just a year away, Siraj realised that the series finale, which was meant to be a dead rubber, was a critical match. Despite the fact that the host team had already decided the series’ outcome after winning the first two games, the venue hosted the series decider.

What does Mohammed Siraj’s recall for this game mean?

After being rested for the first two games of the series, Mohammed Siraj’s return to the starting lineup for the third ODI was significant. The team management exploited the dead rubber to reduce workloads and give peripheral players opportunities, and his contribution, along with that of rookie Anshul Kamboj, provided the Indian bowling unit a new look in the last game.

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Campbell’s dismissal for only 10 off 7 deliveries served as a reminder of Mohammed Siraj’s impact to India’s ODI campaign. It required both speed and accuracy to toss the ball that terminated Campbell’s innings, which snuck back into the right-hander and smacked the off-stump. It was the type of moment that helped India take an early lead in the chase for the West Indies and justified his selection.

Kunal Rajput