Mohammed Siraj castles John Campbell with a pearler on ODI return

Pacer Mohammed Siraj marked his return to India's ODI playing XI in emphatic fashion, clean bowling West Indies opener John Campbell during the 3rd ODI at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Stadium in New Chandigarh on October 3, 2026. The delivery nipped back sharply off the pitch and crashed into the off-stump, sending Campbell's stumps flying and drawing an immediate reaction from the Indian camp.

Campbell, who had looked threatening early on, was dismissed for 10 off just 7 balls. The wicket underlined Siraj's ability to extract movement and generate danger even in conditions that can often favour batters in 50-over cricket.

Siraj had been rested for the first two ODIs of the three-match series against West Indies before being recalled for the series finale. India had already sealed the series with an unassailable 2-0 lead heading into the third game, meaning the contest was a dead rubber, though Siraj's inclusion gave the match added interest for fans eager to see the pacer back in action.

How did India set up the 3rd ODI?

The Men in Blue, led by skipper Shubman Gill elected to bat first after winning the toss and posted a commanding total of 351 for 7 in their allotted 50 overs. The score gave their bowlers a substantial target to defend and set the stage for Siraj and the rest of the Indian pace attack to operate with confidence in the second innings.

The series finale, posed as a dead rubber, proved to be a vital match time for Siraj, keeping in mind the ODI World Cup 2027 being about a year away. The venue hosted the series finale even though the series outcome had already been determined, with the host side having wrapped up the contest in the first two games.

What was the significance of Siraj's recall for this match?

Siraj's return to the XI for the 3rd ODI was notable given that he had been deliberately rested for the opening two matches of the series. His inclusion alongside debutant Anshul Kamboj gave the Indian bowling unit a fresh look for the final game, with the team management using the dead rubber to manage workloads and hand opportunities to fringe players.

The wicket of Campbell, removed for just 10 off 7 deliveries, was a reminder of what Siraj brings to India's ODI attack. The ball that ended Campbell's innings moved back into the right-hander and hit the off-stump, a delivery that required both pace and precision to execute. It was the kind of moment that justified his selection and gave India an early foothold in the West Indies chase.