Mohammed Siraj Shares Emotional Farewell to RCB as He Joins Gujarat Titans
Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj expressed his emotions about leaving the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to join the Gujarat Titans (GT). Siraj, who has been a part of RCB since 2018, felt a strong connection with the franchise, largely thanks to the support he received from Virat Kohli throughout his time there.
After being released by RCB, Siraj was acquired by the Gujarat Titans for Rs 12.25 crore in the mega auction ahead of the 2025 IPL season. Siraj made his IPL debut in 2017 with the Sunrisers Hyderabad, before making his way to RCB the following year. Over seven seasons with the franchise, he grew to be a respected bowler under Kohli’s leadership.
Reflecting on his move to Gujarat, Siraj stated, “Joining Gujarat is exciting. Leaving RCB was emotional for me because Virat bhai stood by me during tough times. However, I am thrilled to be part of a great team here, led by Gill,” he shared in an interview with PTI.
In addition to his transition, Siraj supported the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) decision to permit the use of saliva to shine the ball during IPL 2025. This practice had been banned since the 2020 season due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It’s great news for us bowlers because using saliva can help achieve reverse swing, especially when the ball isn’t doing much. Rubbing it against the shirt isn’t effective for this purpose. Maintaining the shine on one side of the ball is important, and saliva really helps with that,” he explained.
As the IPL 2025 season approaches, Gujarat Titans are set to kick off their campaign against the Punjab Kings on March 25 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Siraj, looking to bounce back after a challenging last season, is eager to make a strong impression in the upcoming tournament.
