Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj recently shared his emotional journey from playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to joining Gujarat Titans (GT) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Siraj, who had been with RCB for seven years, admitted that wearing the Gujarat Titans jersey for the first time was a special moment for him.
“The first time I wore this Gujarat Titans jersey, it was a very emotional moment for me, as it’s been seven years playing for RCB. But now it’s a new season, and I don’t feel like I am in a new team. The atmosphere here is very good,” Siraj said in a video shared by IPL. “For two years, I have performed really well at the Narendra Modi Stadium, and the pitch here helps fast bowlers.”
The fast bowler also opened up about not being selected for India’s squad during the ICC Champions Trophy. Reflecting on his emotions, he shared that it was tough initially, but he understood the rationale behind the decision. “When you play for the country, you develop confidence, and a player wants to play in an ICC event. I was not able to digest it in the beginning, but Rohit Bhai did what was best for the team. He is a very experienced player and knew that spinners would be more useful in Dubai, so he made that call,” Siraj explained.
Despite missing out, Siraj used the break to improve his fitness and enhance his bowling skills. “During this break, I worked on my fitness and bowling. I felt very good; we went on to win the ICC Champions Trophy,” he added.
After his one season with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in 2017, where Siraj took 10 wickets in six matches, he was bought by RCB for Rs 2.6 crore. During his time at RCB, he played 87 matches, claiming 83 wickets at an average of 31.45, with his best bowling figures being 4/21. Siraj remains RCB’s third-highest wicket-taker, following Harshal Patel (99) and Yuzvendra Chahal (139).
Despite not winning a trophy with RCB, Siraj played a key role in helping the team reach the playoffs four times. The 2023 IPL season was his best yet, with 19 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 19.74, including his standout performance of 4/21.
In the 2023 season, Siraj took 15 wickets in 14 matches, helping RCB secure a spot in the playoffs after a dramatic turnaround from a poor start to the season. However, their journey ended with a defeat to Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the eliminator.
The 2023 IPL was also Siraj’s final competitive match before his return to the domestic circuit, where he played for his state team in the Ranji Trophy. His last competitive match in January saw him take four wickets in a match against Vidarbha.