Imagine being part of a family for seven years, only to find out you’re no longer needed. That’s what happened to Mohammed Siraj, a talented bowler who played for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Despite his impressive record – 83 wickets in 87 matches, making him the team’s third-highest wicket-taker – RCB chose not to retain him.
Siraj has now joined Gujarat Titans, who snagged him for a whopping 12.25 crore rupees. As he gears up to face his old team, he’s opening up about the emotional rollercoaster he’s been on.
A New Chapter
Siraj’s journey with RCB has been a long one. When he was struggling to find his footing in 2018-19, it was Virat Kohli who stood by him, giving him the support he needed to turn his game around. That vote of confidence paid off, and Siraj’s performance began to soar. Now, as he prepares to take on his former team, he’s eager to prove himself all over again.
But Siraj’s not just focused on his own game – he’s also got his eyes on the new impact player rule, which he believes is unfair to bowlers.
A Rule That Favors Batsmen
“The rule doesn’t sit well with me,” Siraj admits. “In the past, taking early wickets would shift the momentum in our favor. Now, even if we get a few wickets upfront, the batsmen can still keep hitting big shots. The flat wickets and dew factor only make things tougher for us bowlers.” As the IPL season kicks off, Siraj is ready to put his emotions aside and give it his all on the field. Will his new team, Gujarat Titans, be the perfect platform for him to shine? Only time will tell.
