3 April 2025: Praise was heaped on Mohammed Siraj Thursday after his match-winning spell for Gujarat Titans at his former club Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL.
Siraj, who was dropped By India for the Champions Trophy, looked like a man with a point to prove to the national selectors and the RCB management as he took 3-19 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday, a venue that was his home for seven seasons.
RCB released Siraj after last season and the India fast bowler was bought by Gujarat for $1.4 million in the November auction.
Siraj has begun to justify his price tag by taking five wickets in three matches this season, bowling with pace and accuracy.
Former India opener Virender Sehwag said Siraj’s IPL form was motivated by his omission from the Champions Trophy last month, which India won in Dubai.
“Somewhere I feel he is hurt that he wasn’t part of the Champions Trophy squad, and I saw that fire,” Sehwag said on website Cricbuzz.
“That’s what we expect from a young fast bowler: ‘Yeah, you didn’t pick me? Now I will show you’.”
New Zealand’s Kane Williamson, commentating on JioStar, said: “He bowled with real fire in his belly, led the attack with aggression, and bowled with some excellent pace.”
Summary: Mohammed Siraj receives acclaim for his fierce performances in the IPL, showcasing renewed energy and match-winning bowling spells for his team.