Mohammed Siraj Shines Against Former Team RCB After IPL 2025 Auction Snub
Mohammed Siraj delivered a fiery spell against his former team, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), in the IPL 2025 season, making a strong statement after being released by the franchise. Playing for Gujarat Titans (GT), Siraj picked up 3 wickets for just 19 runs, helping his team secure an eight-wicket victory at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Facing RCB for the first time after seven years with them, Siraj admitted to feeling emotional but was determined to give his best performance.
Siraj’s Impactful Spell
Siraj bowled with pace exceeding 140 kmph and consistently hit good-length areas, dismantling RCB’s batting lineup. He struck twice in the powerplay, dismissing Devdutt Padikkal and Phil Salt before claiming the crucial wicket of Liam Livingstone in the death overs. His aggressive celebrations mirrored his passion and competitive spirit. “It was emotional because I played for seven years here (RCB). But the moment I got the ball in my hand, it was full intensity. I am a Cristiano Ronaldo fan as well, so I celebrate with that mindset,” Siraj said after receiving the Player of the Match award.
Mindset and Preparation
Siraj had been out of India’s white-ball squad recently and used the break to work on his bowling and fitness. “I was playing matches consistently, so I was not realizing the mistakes I was making. In the break, I focused on my bowling and fitness,” he shared. He credited Gujarat Titans’ head coach Ashish Nehra for giving him the freedom to bowl naturally. “Ashu bhai asked me to just enjoy myself and do whatever I wanted. Talking to my bowling partners like Rabada and Ishant has been really helpful,” he added.
Jos Buttler’s Match-Winning Knock
GT’s chase was led by Jos Buttler, who scored an unbeaten 73 off 39 balls. Despite his brilliant batting, Buttler admitted that his fielding and wicketkeeping needed improvement. “The bowlers were fantastic, but the fielding, including myself, could have been better. I was embarrassed after dropping Salt’s catch and celebrated too early in a Herschelle Gibbs style,” he said.
Shubman Gill’s Tactical Captaincy
GT captain Shubman Gill was pleased with his team’s effort in restricting RCB to 169/8, despite targeting a score of around 190. “The wicket had something for the fast bowlers, and picking early wickets made a big difference. We batted professionally, adapted to the situation, and played according to the conditions,” he stated.
RCB’s Struggles Continue
RCB’s captain, Rajat Patidar, expressed disappointment over the early wickets that hurt their chances. “We were targeting around 190, but losing three wickets in the powerplay was one too many. The bowlers did well to take the match to the 18th over, and the way Jitesh Sharma, Livingstone, and Tim David batted was a positive takeaway for us,” Patidar said, hoping for better performances in the upcoming matches.
Gujarat Titans’ dominant performance, led by Siraj’s fiery bowling and Buttler’s powerful batting, showcased their strength in IPL 2025. Meanwhile, RCB will need to address their top-order collapses to turn their fortunes around in the tournament.
