Mohammed Siraj and Shubman Gill are now part of Gujarat Titans (GT) as well, sharing the dressing room together. It is not often that a fast bowler calls one of India’s most talented young batters his “bunny”, but Mohammed Siraj says it with warmth rather than bullying. In his world, Shubman Gill is not a scalp he celebrates but a friend (now a captain) he cherishes, a teammate he has grown alongside, and someone whose journey inspires pride.
Following the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test cricket, Shubman Gill has risen as the new face of India’s red-ball cricket. Appointed captain for the England tour, Shubman Gill impressed with his leadership and batting, helping India draw the series 2-2. Shubman Gill’s stellar performances on and off the field have now made him one of the most marketable cricketers in the country, often referred to as the “Prince” of Team India, challenging the legendary Virat Kohli in influence.
During the 5-match Test series in England, Shubman Gill was the highest run-scorer, amassing 754 runs. Shubman Gill won the Player of the Series award for India in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 against the England National Cricket Team, which was his first series as the Test captain.
Shubman Gill finished as the leading run-getter in the five-match Test series between India and England as he scored 754 runs at an average of 75.40. The 25-year-old was recently appointed as the vice-captain of the Indian T20I team, replacing Axar Patel in the role, and will be next seen in action in the Asia Cup 2025.
Ahead of Asia Cup 2025, there was speculation about Shubman Gill’s role in the T20 squad. The final announcement confirmed his selection as vice-captain, and he is set to open alongside Abhishek Sharma, continuing his flair at the top of the order. Shubman Gill’s team mate of the Gujarat Titan’s Mohammed Siraj while praising Shubman Gill’s rhetorical rise in the Indian cricket circuit spilled beans calling Shubman Gill his ” bunny” while on the field with him.
Mohammed Siraj is in all praise with Shubman Gill and opens up with the bond he shares with his skipper
Mohammed Siraj opened up about his camaraderie with India Test captain Shubman Gill and revealed that he kept teasing him in the nets by calling him his bunny. Siraj played a monumental role in India’s 2-2 series draw in the recently concluded England tour, during which Shubman took over the reins of the Test team. The 31-year-old rose to the challenge when Jasprit Bumrah was put on rest to manage his workload. He finished the series as the highest-wicket taker, including a 9-wicket haul at the Oval to help India draw the series 2-2.
The two share a history that goes back well before the bright lights of international cricket. From grinding it out for India A to standing side by side on debut at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in December 2020, their stories have often run in parallel. Later, both rose to the top of ICC’s ODI charts almost at the same time, another moment that bound them together.
Speaking to RevSportz, Siraj opened up about the unique equation :
“Shubman and I have been together for a long time. We have played India A. We have spent time off the field as well. We made our Test debuts together at the MCG, and also became ODI No. 1 (ICC rankings) at the same time. We have a lot of memories together,” he told RevSportz.
The pace ace further talked about playing with him in IPL last season, where he teased him in the nets, but highlighted that their mutual understanding has always remained exceptional.
“He’s also the captain of Gujarat Titans. We bat at the nets together and keep talking. I keep telling him that you’re my bunny. Our understanding is very easy and it reflects on the field. He understands what I want, what I don’t and vice versa,” he added.
Mohammed Siraj will not feature in the Asia Cup 2025, having been out of the T20I set-up since last year’s World Cup. However, he sent his best wishes to Shubman, expressing pride in his leadership growth as he takes on the vice-captaincy.
“I am really proud of his growth as a captain, and now that he is the vice-captain for the Asia Cup as well, I would definitely want him to bring the trophy back. All the best to him and the team,” he concluded.
Asia Cup 2025 will be played in the T20 format from September 9 to 28. India is the formal host of the Asia Cup 2025, but due to political and logistical reasons, the tournament will be held in the UAE. A total of eight teams will take part in the tournament, and the teams have been divided into two group. Shubman Gill will be a part of Indian squad to UAE for Asia Cup 2025 while Mohammed Siraj will take rest before returning to represent India for the two Tests vs WI starting 2nd October 2025.
Also Read: ENG vs IND : Shubman Gill Appointed Test Skipper For Red Ball