In the previous match of GT, against RCB at Chinnaswamy stadium, it was a homecoming of sorts for Mohammed Siraj, who had previously played for the Bengaluru franchise for seven straight seasons.
Last night, against SRH at Hyderabad, it was again a homecoming for Miyan. He was born and made a player in this sprawling city.
And yet, again Siraj proved a point. Siraj delivered a career-best spell of 4/17 in his four overs, dismantling SRH's batting lineup. His wickets included key dismissals of Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Aniket Verma, and Simarjeet Singh, effectively stifling SRH's momentum. This performance marked his second consecutive Player of the Match award and his 100th IPL wicket, a significant milestone in his career.
Overall, going into the IPL 2025, Siraj had plenty to prove --- to himself and to the national selectors. The opening pacer has been left out of India's white ball teams recently after last year's World Cup T20. He was not part of the Champions Trophy squad. It was a selectoral snub, and any half-decent player would want to come back strongly after such a turn of events.
And Siraj has been more than half-decent. Though inconsistent at times, the man has fire in his belly, and his pace and bounce can unsettle batsmen. In IPL 2025, he seems to have re-found his old mojo. Siraj has taken 9 wickets in 4 matches so far, with an impressive average of 13.77 and an economy rate of 7.75.
His ability to strike in the powerplay has been a game-changer for GT, as he has already claimed 6 powerplay wickets, surpassing his tally from the entire 2024 season. Siraj's control and ability to move the ball both ways have made him a formidable force in the early overs. He has credited his success to a strategic break, during which he worked on his fitness and mental approach, allowing him to return fresher and sharper.
Siraj's consistency has been a cornerstone of GT's success this season. His ability to deliver under pressure and lead the bowling attack has been instrumental in GT's rise to the top of the points table. As the tournament progresses, Siraj's form will undoubtedly be crucial for GT's campaign and could pave the way for his return to the national team.