Mohammed Siraj Reflects On Emotional Departure From RCB

In a heartfelt revelation, Mohammed Siraj has opened up about his emotional departure from the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as he embarks on a new journey with the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Having established himself as a key player for RCB since 2018, the 2025 season marks a pivotal moment in the fast bowler's career as he transitions to a new franchise while fondly recalling his time with the Bengaluru team.

Siraj, who became RCB’s third-highest wicket-taker during his tenure, expressed gratitude for the support he received from team captain Virat Kohli during challenging times. "To be honest, Virat Kohli has a huge hand in my career. He has backed me in my bad times – 2018 and 2019. He supported me, he even retained me, and after that, my performance and graph went up," Siraj shared in an interview reported by ANI. The bowler's journey, enriched by Kohli's mentorship, encouraged him to achieve remarkable success on the field, notably his outstanding performance two years ago when he took 19 wickets in 14 matches, boasting an average of 19.74 and an economy rate of 7.50.

As the date approaches for Siraj to face off against his former team, emotions are expected to run high. "It has been very emotional for me to leave RCB. Let's see what happens when I come against RCB. The match is on April 2," he remarked, highlighting both the bond he shares with the players and the competitive spirit this new chapter in his career brings.

Looking forward to his role with the Gujarat Titans, Siraj expressed optimism about training with his new teammates. "My training is going very well with all the pacers in my team, and our bowling unit knows how to plan and execute. I am feeling very pleasant training with them all," he said. In a franchise that secured the IPL title in 2022 under Hardik Pandya's leadership, the Titans are eager to see Siraj’s pace enhance their already strong bowling attack.

Despite the challenging transition, Siraj's determination to excel remains unwavering. The fast bowler was bought by Gujarat Titans for a significant price of Rs 12.25 crore during the mega auction, a reflection of the franchise’s confidence in his abilities. Previously, after making his IPL debut in 2017 with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), he transitioned to RCB ahead of the 2018 season, where he was purchased for Rs 2.20 crore.

In addition to his personal reflections, Siraj also welcomed a recent decision by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) allowing the use of saliva to shine the cricket ball during IPL matches. This practice had been banned since the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. "It’s very good for bowlers. It's excellent news for us bowlers because when the ball is not doing anything, applying saliva on the ball will increase the chances of finding some reverse swing. It sometimes aids reverse swing," he explained, emphasizing its significance in maintaining the ball's shine and enhancing his bowling performance.

As Gujarat Titans prepare to kick off their campaign against Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium on March 25, 2025, Siraj is eager to not only prove himself but also move past the shadows of last season's performance, where he struggled to meet his high standards.

The saga of Siraj’s departure from RCB and subsequent arrival at Gujarat is a poignant reminder of the bonds formed in sports and the inevitable changes that come with career growth. With Kohli's impact deeply etched in his journey, as well as the ambitions that lie ahead with the Gujarat Titans, fans and teams alike are eagerly awaiting the next chapter in Mohammed Siraj’s IPL story.