Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fans don’t need a reminder of two things: the catchy yet somewhat regrettable slogan they once borrowed from Bengaluru FC, and the long, painful list of players they let go, only to watch them flourish elsewhere and, at times, haunt them on the field. That list, already brimming with names like KL Rahul, Travis Head, Yuzvendra Chahal, Shane Watson, Moeen Ali, and Shivam Dube, gained another high-profile addition on Wednesday night – Mohammed Siraj.
Siraj, once an integral part of RCB’s bowling attack, now dons the Gujarat Titans (GT) jersey after being released before the IPL 2025 mega auction. For seven seasons, he was a staple in the RCB lineup, transitioning from a rookie to their pace spearhead. And yet, despite finishing as their joint-highest wicket-taker in 2024 with 15 wickets in 14 matches, he was overlooked in favor of an uncapped signing, Yash Dayal. That decision must have stung, especially when Siraj found himself delivering a match-winning performance against his former team at their home ground.
The Chinnaswamy Redemption
Chinnaswamy Stadium has not always been kind to Siraj, and there were murmurs in the RCB camp about his underwhelming home record. Some argued that his best IPL performances came when the tournament was moved to the UAE during the Covid years. But statistics tell a different story—his economy rate at Chinnaswamy (8.81) was only slightly higher than his overall economy (8.53), and his average at home (26.84) was even better than his away record (33.54).
So, it was almost poetic that one of his finest IPL spells—3 for 19 off four overs—came at the very ground where he was once deemed inadequate. His precision, pace, and execution on a surface that wasn’t a typical Chinnaswamy belter left RCB reeling. Coach Andy Flower himself acknowledged that this wasn’t the batting paradise people expected.
The night began on a warm note, with Siraj exchanging pleasantries and backslaps with his former teammates. But once the game began, the competitive fire took over. When Virat Kohli elegantly drove him through extra cover for a boundary early on, it seemed like RCB had found their rhythm. However, what followed was a masterclass in fast bowling that silenced the Chinnaswamy faithful.
Silencing the Chinnaswamy
RCB’s home crowd erupts at the slightest spark, but Siraj managed to hush them with a spectacular wicket. Devdutt Padikkal’s stumps were sent cartwheeling, and in celebration, Siraj sprinted the length of the pitch, unleashing his trademark Cristiano Ronaldo-style celebration. The eerie silence in the stadium was a testament to the impact of that moment.
"I was a little emotional, because I played here for seven years in the red jersey," Siraj admitted after receiving the Player of the Match award. "Now it's a different color. I was nervous and emotional, but as soon as I got the ball in my hand, I was full on."
His performance went beyond raw emotion—it was backed by meticulous planning. Siraj had clearly done his homework on Phil Salt. In the IPL, Salt is devastating against full deliveries (striking at 227.36) but far less effective against good-length and short-pitched balls (146.64). From the very first ball, Siraj targeted Salt with hard lengths, making him uncomfortable.
Tactical Brilliance: Winning the Mind Games
In the very first over, Siraj almost got Salt, as the batter edged a pull shot, only for Jos Buttler to drop a straightforward catch. Frustration was evident, and Salt countered with a monstrous 105-meter six off a 144 kph bouncer—an audacious response. But Siraj remained unfazed. He went back to his plan, delivered a ball on a good length, got it to nip away off the seam, and sent Salt’s stumps flying. It was a moment of pure bowling brilliance, a statement that he was in complete control.
The GT pacer wasn’t done yet. His third and arguably most crucial wicket came in the form of Liam Livingstone, who was well on his way to shifting the momentum back to RCB. Livingstone had just hammered Rashid Khan for one of his most expensive spells in T20 history (0 for 54), and his presence at the crease was a looming threat. But Siraj cut the celebrations short, removing Livingstone at a crucial juncture and sealing RCB’s fate.
Reinvented and Rejuvenated
Siraj’s resurgence didn’t come by accident. After struggling with his rhythm in the latter stages of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia and being sidelined from India’s white-ball plans, he took a step back and focused on rebuilding himself.
"I was playing matches consistently, so I wasn’t realizing the mistakes I was making," Siraj reflected. "I took a break, focused on my fitness and bowling, and it helped me mentally. When I joined GT, I spoke to Ashu (coach Ashish Nehra), and now I feel confident. Ashu bhai tells me to go out and have fun. There’s no bigger confidence-booster than that."
What stood out about Siraj’s performance wasn’t just the pace or movement, but his unwavering belief. "As a bowler, it’s very important to have self-belief. If you don’t, you panic. When you get hit for a six, you start trying different things. The key is to trust yourself, no matter what wicket you’re bowling on. That’s my mindset—I believe I can do it."
A New Chapter with GT
Siraj’s fiery start to IPL 2025 could very well mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter with Gujarat Titans. No longer shackled by past disappointments or the pressure of expectations at RCB, he looks freer, more focused, and determined to prove his worth.
For RCB, the story remains the same—a case of "what could have been." But for Siraj, it’s an opportunity to redefine his legacy, one thunderous spell at a time.
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