On April 2, 2025 — Mohammed Siraj turned his homecoming into a nightmare for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Wednesday, delivering a match defining 4-0-19-3 to propel Gujarat Titans (GT) to a convincing victory in IPL 2025 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Released by RCB ahead of the auction, Mohammed Siraj, now in GT colors, unleashed his fury on his former team, claiming three crucial wickets and choking their batting lineup in a performance that echoed with emotion and intensity.
A Spell Fueled by Redemption
Facing RCB for the first time since his departure after seven years with the franchise, Siraj admitted post-match that the occasion was charged with feeling. “There was some nervousness and some emotion, but the moment I got the ball in my hand, it was full-on intensity,” he said. That intensity translated into a spell that dismantled RCB’s hopes, restricting them to 169/8—a total GT chased down with 13 balls to spare, thanks to Jos Buttler’s unbeaten 73.
Click here: Post Match Interview: Mohammed Siraj
Mohammed Siraj struck early and often, exploiting the powerplay with devastating effect. In his second over, he bowled Devdutt Padikkal for 4 with a good-length ball that seamed in sharply, shattering the stumps. Moments later, Phil Salt (14) fell to a 145.9kph thunderbolt—a full-length delivery with late away swing that uprooted the off stump. RCB stumbled to 42/4 in the powerplay, and Siraj’s early blows set the tone.
Aggressive and Effective 💪
🔽 Watch Indefatigable Siraj’s fiery spell of 3/19 🔥🔥#TATAIPL | #RCBvGT | @mdsirajofficial
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 2, 2025
Control and Composure
Even as Liam Livingstone (54) and Jitesh Sharma stitched a 33-run stand to revive RCB, Mohammed Siraj kept the pressure on. His third over was a masterclass in control, conceding just 4 runs and adding to his tally of 14 dot balls—over half his 24 deliveries. His economy rate of 4.75 at a venue known for its batting-friendly conditions underscored his dominance.
The decisive moment came in the 19th over. With Livingstone threatening to boost RCB’s total, Siraj returned and lured the big-hitting Englishman into a false shot with a wide wobble-seam ball. The edge flew to the keeper, ending Livingstone’s resistance and capping RCB’s innings at a subpar score.
Mohammed Siraj’s Wickets:
| Over | Batsman | Runs | Dismissal | Delivery Description |
| 2.2 | Devdutt Padikkal | 4 | Bowled | Good-length, seamed in |
| 4.4 | Phil Salt | 14 | Bowled | Full-length, 145.9kph, late swing |
| 18.2 | Liam Livingstone | 54 | Caught behind | Wide wobble-seam, edged to keeper |
GT’s Clinical Chase
Chasing 170, GT rode Buttler’s composure and David Miller’s late flourish to seal the win. But it was Siraj’s spell that had RCB fans—and their star-studded lineup, including Virat Kohli—reeling. Social media buzzed with trolls targeting Kohli and Co., with one fan quipping, “Siraj saved all his energy for this RCB match!”
A Statement Performance
For Mohammed Siraj, the night was about more than wickets—it was a statement. His pace, precision, and ability to deliver under pressure not only handed GT a crucial victory but also served as a stinging reminder to RCB of what they’d let go. As the Chinnaswamy crowd dispersed, the narrative was clear: Siraj had returned not just to play, but to conquer.