‘Wasn’t Able To Digest It’: Siraj Reacts To Being Dropped From India's Champions Trophy Squad

Gujarat Titans (GT) defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by seven wickets in the 19th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season on April 6 (Sunday). Star Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj played a pivotal role in the win, delivering a match-winning spell of 4 for 17 to earn the Player of the Match award and steer GT to a comfortable triumph.

Siraj has so far played 97 matches in the IPL and reached the 100-wicket mark in the SRH vs GT match with an economy rate of 8.17. The Hyderabad seamer played several years for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), but last year RCB released him and GT bought him in the IPL 2025 mega auction.

Siraj was a regular in India’s ODI cricket team, but he was snubbed from the Champions Trophy 2025 squad, which India went on to win under the leadership of Rohit Sharma. 

'I Was Not Able To Digest It'

In the post-match presentation of the SRH vs GT match, Siraj opened up about the Champions Trophy squad snub stating it was very hard to digest for the pacer.

“As a professional, when you are consistently with the Indian team, a doubt grows in your mind (on him being dropped) but I cheered myself up and was looking forward to the IPL. When you’re not selected (for the Indian team), it does cross your mind (if you are good enough). But I wanted to be ready for the IPL. When you execute what you are trying to deliver, you stay at the top. When you move the ball both in and out and it works instinctively, it gives you a different feeling,” Siraj said in the post-match presentation..

“I have played for seven years for RCB. I have worked hard on my bowling and also on my mindset, it is working really well for me. At one time, I was not able to digest it (having not been picked for Champions Trophy) but I kept my spirits up and worked on my fitness and game,” Siraj concluded.

Siraj has been in good form in IPL 2025, in 4 matches of this season he has taken 9 wickets with an economy of 7.75 and average of 13.78.

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