New Delhi: Having played for seven years at Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Mohammed Siraj revealed that he was emotional while bowling at the Chinnaswamy stadium for his new IPL 2025 side Gujarat Titans.
The India pacer marked his return to his former home ground with a man of the match performance, helping GT beat RCB by eight wickets. It was GT’s second consecutive win and fist defeat for RCB in three matches.
Siraj claimed 3/19 in GT’s impresisve bowling performance after winning the toss and electing to field. RCB could only score 169/8 on a track known to be batting friendly.
In GT’s run chase, Jos Buttler was unbeaten on 73 runs off 39 balls, hitting five boundaries and six sixes to help them reach their target with 13 balls sill to be played.
Sai Sudharsan contributed 49 off 36 balls (7×4, 1×6) while Shubman Gill scored 14 and Sherfane Rutherford was unbeaten on 30 off 18 balls.
Speaking after the win, Siraj spoke how he felt while playing against his former team.
“It was emotional because I played for seven years here (for RCB). There was some nervousness and some emotion but the moment I got the ball in my hand, it was full-on (intensity),” he said.
“I was playing matches consistently, so was not realizing the mistakes I was making. In the break, focused on my bowling, on my fitness and when I joined GT, I spoke to Ashu bhai (Ashish Nehra) and the ball is coming out nicely now.
“He asked me to just enjoy myself and do whatever I wanted. I talk to them (Rabada, Ishant and other bowling partners) and get feedback which is really helpful,” Siraj added.
“As a bowler, I want to always have belief – that is an important thing. If that is not there, you panic (when you get hit). I have belief that I can do well, irrespective of wherever I am playing and that is my mindset.”
On his first match against his former team RCB, GT pacer Mohammed Siraj claimed 3/19 in a man-of-the-match performance Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
