Mohammed Siraj wasn’t just bowling fast on Sunday—he was bowling with a point to prove. The Gujarat Titans pacer ripped apart Sunrisers Hyderabad with a stunning 4/17 at Uppal Stadium, his old stomping ground from domestic days. His fiery spell didn’t just clinch a seven-wicket win for GT—it also marked his best-ever IPL figures and his 100th wicket in the tournament. Not bad for a guy who, not long ago, couldn’t stomach being left out of India’s Champions Trophy squad.
Siraj’s been a force in IPL 2025, grabbing nine wickets in four matches with an average of 13.77 and a tight economy of 7.75. Against SRH, he kept them to a shaky 152/8, setting up GT’s easy chase. But behind the fist pumps and the record books, there’s a quieter story. Siraj’s been wrestling with self-doubt ever since India dropped him from their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 lineup.
The snub stung. For years, Siraj was a key part of India’s ODI pace attack. But when the selectors went spin-heavy for the tournament, they picked just two main fast bowlers—Mohammed Shami and Harshit Rana. Shami played every game; Rana got two outings. Siraj? He was left watching from the sidelines.
“It hit me hard,” Siraj admitted after the SRH match. “When you’re not picked for India, you start wondering if you’re good enough. That doubt creeps in.” But instead of sulking, he turned it into fuel. With his family cheering from the stands at his home ground, he found the spark he needed. “Seeing them lifted me up. I’ve worked hard on my bowling and my mindset—it’s paying off now.”
Siraj’s no stranger to grinding it out. After seven years with Royal Challengers Bangalore, he’s honed his skills and his mental game. “I couldn’t digest the snub at first,” he said. “But I kept my spirits high, hit the gym, and focused on my game.” That prep showed on Sunday—his deliveries swung both ways, leaving SRH batters clueless.
The Hyderabad-born pacer’s loving life at GT, too. “I fixed my mistakes, and now I’m enjoying every ball I bowl,” he said. “When you execute what you’ve practiced, it’s a different high.” For Siraj, this IPL isn’t just about wickets—it’s about proving he belongs at the top, snub or no snub.
As GT fans celebrate, Siraj’s already looking ahead. “You stay at the top when you deliver,” he said. And right now, he’s delivering in style.
