GT is currently leading the IPL 2025 points table, and Mohammed Siraj has been a crucial part of the team's success under Shubman Gill's captaincy. He ranks as the third-highest wicket-taker for his team and sits seventh in the Purple Cap standings with 11 wickets from seven matches, boasting an economy rate of 8.96. This season, he has also achieved a four-wicket haul.

Siraj was acquired by GT during last year's mega auction for ₹12.25 lakhs. He made his IPL debut with SRH in 2018 before moving to RCB the same year. Surprisingly, RCB let him go before the mega auction, leading him to join GT.

In a match against RCB this season, Siraj faced his old team at his former home ground in Bengaluru. He delivered an outstanding performance, earning the Player of the Match title with impressive figures of 3/19.

Mohammed Siraj shared, "Back when I was part of RCB..."

In a recent chat with Cricbuzz, Siraj reflected on his experience with RCB and addressed his exclusion from the Champions Trophy 2025, which India clinched.

“When I played for RCB, I understood the unique bowling style needed at Chinnaswamy. Since it’s a smaller ground, I concentrated on hitting the stumps as much as I could. I realized that overthinking could lead to conceding runs. By keeping my approach straightforward and focusing on the stumps, I was able to take wickets,” he shared.

Talking about his transition to GT, he mentioned, “I spent seven years at RCB, experiencing plenty of highs and lows. Virat Bhai (Kohli) was a huge support for me during that time. There were moments when my performance dipped. Chinnaswamy can be tough for bowlers because of its size. However, in one season, I managed an economy rate of seven (7.52 in 2023), and I found joy in my bowling there. I truly appreciated my time at RCB.”

At GT, coach Ashu Bhai (Ashish Nehra) was already familiar with me from my days at RCB and SRH, where he held various positions. He’s given me a lot of leeway, and the vibe here is much more laid-back. Having that freedom is essential for any professional. Players face a lot of pressure, so it’s vital to foster a chill environment, and Ashu Bhai does just that. He often tells me, 'I know what you can do, so just enjoy your bowling.' For a player, that kind of trust and confidence is really meaningful.

Siraj was left out of the Champions Trophy squad due to his poor form leading up to the tournament. Reflecting on his exclusion, he shared, “For any professional, participating in an ICC event is hugely significant. Every player dreams of winning one. I’ve always wanted to play in the Champions Trophy and make my country proud, but maybe it just wasn’t meant to be. Initially, it was tough to accept, but I’ve come to terms with it by focusing on improving and performing better, which has fueled my motivation.”

“I began to focus on my fitness and running. I reached out to Soham Bhai (trainer Soham Desai), who helped me with a fitness program. Soham Bhai has been a vital support for me, both in the past and now. When I first met him in 2018, I wasn’t entirely sold on his methods. But he explained that to achieve great things, sacrifices are necessary. I took his advice to heart, and now he understands my body better than I do,” he added.

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