Mohammed Siraj produced a fiery spell for Gujarat Titans against Sunrisers Hyderabad, ripping through his former franchise with a sensational 4/17 at the Uppal Stadium – his home turf in domestic cricket. The performance not only handed GT a comprehensive seven-wicket win, but also saw Mohammed Siraj etch his name in the record books with his best-ever IPL figures and his 100th IPL wicket.
Mohammed Siraj the Hyderabad pacer, now in GT colours, has been almost unplayable in IPL 2025. In four matches, Mohammed Siraj has picked nine wickets at an average of 13.77 and an economy rate of 7.75. His spell on Sunday proved pivotal in keeping SRH to a modest 152/8.
Mohammed Siraj’s catastrophic downfall over the past few months and then rise to ranks in IPL 2025
Mohammed Siraj’s career has been a roller-coaster ride in the past few months, with the fast bowler facing several heartbreaks. However, the speedster has arrived at the Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025) having learnt his lessons and is putting a show for the ages at the T20 extravaganza.
India and Gujarat Titans (GT) seamer Mohammed Siraj has arrived at the Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025) with a renewed energy, having won two Player of the Match awards in Gujarat’s first four matches. Mohammed Siraj entered the tournament facing a double whammy as he was first not retained by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and later was not picked in India’s squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Hence, with two back-to-back heartbreaks, the fire to prove his naysayers wrong intensified inside the fast bowler’s belly as he used his time away from the game to work on his fitness and improve his skillset. Mohammed Siraj’s arduous journey with a desire to reclaim his old glory was filled with self-doubt, unacceptance and a mindset shift as he embarked on the long route to find the ‘Miyan magic’ back.
The beginning, however, wasn’t the best as he was taken apart by Punjab Kings batters in the first game, leaking 54 runs in four overs. But like his career trajectory, Mohammed Siraj got better as he played more, registering figures of 2/34 against Mumbai Indians in the second match, which included wickets of Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton.
The third match against RCB saw Mohammed Siraj return to his very best as he was hungry to pounce on his old franchise and make a bold statement with his performance. The speedster channelled his anger into a ferocious spell, scalping three wickets in four overs, giving away 19 runs. It was enough to stop RCB for a meagre 169/8 in the high-scoring venue of the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium and set up a comfortable eight-wicket win for his team.
While many believed that Mohammed Siraj saved his best for RCB, the local boy of Hyderabad shone the brightest in front of home support as he dismantled the formidable batting unit of Sunrisers Hyderabad. It began with a battle with his fiercest rival, Travis Head, who took him on in the first over itself, hitting him for a couple of boundaries.
Having had a heated confrontation with his chief tormentor a few months back during a Test match, Mohammed Siraj was determined to come back with a strong reply as he got him caught at mid-on. Head’s dismissal was enough to tell the SRH batters, who own the arena they call their ‘home’ as the local boy made the ball dance to his tunes, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
After the end of his four-over spell, Mohammed Siraj’s figures read 4/17 in four overs, the best he had ever recorded in IPL history. During his spell, he also entered an exclusive club of bowlers with over 100 wickets to his name in IPL. Following his magnum opus show at the stage of the grandest T20 league, Mohammed Siraj also delved deep into his game plan and revealed how bringing back the old usage of saliva on ball helped him get some reverse swing in the death overs.
Star Indian Pacer Mohammed Siraj opens up on the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 snub after heroic performances in IPL 2025
Gujarat Titans’ pace spearhead Mohammed Siraj acknowledged that he couldn’t digest his snubbing from Team India’s Champions Trophy 2025 squad. Having won his second consecutive Player of the Match award in IPL 2025, the 31-year-old credited his family’s presence in the crowd for lifting him.
The selectors had left out Mohammed Siraj from the Champions Trophy squad despite a last-minute decision to exclude Jasprit Bumrah due to injury. However, their decision not to take Mohammed Shami, Harshit Rana, and Arshdeep Singh was vindicated as India won the Champions Trophy undefeated.
Mohammed Siraj played an important role in GT’s win over SunRisers Hyderabad in IPL 2025 on Sunday. At the post-game presentation, Mohammed Siraj said it hurt him not to be included in the Champions Trophy squad but said he kept his spirits up and enhanced his skills. He said:
“When you come to your home ground, it’s a special feeling. My family was there in the crowd and that lifted me up. I have played for seven years for RCB. I have worked hard on my bowling and also on my mindset, it’s working really well for me. At one time, I was not able to digest it but I kept my spirits up and worked on my fitness and game.”
The auction saw the new-ball bowler go to the Titans for ₹12.25 crore. The right-arm speedster had taken three wickets against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and added four more to his tally against the SunRisers Hyderabad. The haul of 4-0-17-4 proved to be his best in IPL history.
The Hyderabad-born cricketer suggested that he has found his old rhythm and the skill of moving the ball both ways, adding:
“Whatever mistakes I was making, I worked on those and I’m enjoying my bowling. As a professional, when you are consistently with the Indian team, a doubt grows in your mind. When you execute what you are trying to deliver, you stay at the top. When you move the ball both in and out and it works instinctively, it gives you a different feeling.”
With 153 set for the Titans to win, they chased it in 16.4 overs and with seven wickets to spare. Shubman Gill starred during the run chase with an unbeaten 61.
With nine wickets from four matches, Mohammed Siraj is the joint second-highest wicket-taker of the ongoing IPL season. Still having a majority season ahead of him, the speedster has a golden chance to have his best ever IPL season, which bodes well not only for Gujarat Titans but the Indian team as well, with the all-important England tour also on the horizon.
Also Read: SRH vs GT: Vikram Solanki Lavishes Praise On Duo Of Mohammed Siraj & Head Coach Ashish Nehra