‘Virat Kohli bhaiya gave me…’: Mohammed Siraj shares how RCB batter stood by him after Champions Trophy snub
New Delhi: Gujarat Titans bowler Mohammed Siraj has significantly improved his performance in IPL 2025, becoming a key player for the team. His strong showing, including 11 wickets in seven matches, places him among the tournament’s top wicket-takers and has been crucial to the Titans’ success.
Before his strong IPL performances for Gujarat Titans, Mohammed Siraj faced several career obstacles. He was dropped from India’s limited-overs teams, released by Royal Challengers Bangalore after seven seasons, and omitted from the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy squad. This exclusion generated much debate, and Siraj himself admitted the disappointment of missing an ICC tournament. However, he used this setback as motivation.
After setbacks, Siraj focused on improving his cricket skills through intensive training. He viewed adversity as an opportunity for growth, showcasing resilience and ultimately achieving a successful return to the IPL in 2025 with the Gujarat Titans.
The Gujarat Titans invested heavily in Mohammed Siraj, acquiring him for ₹12.25 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction. This significant purchase reflects the team’s confidence in Siraj’s abilities.
“For a professional, an ICC event is incredibly important. I’ve always dreamed of playing in the Champions Trophy & doing well for my country, but perhaps it wasn’t written in my destiny. It was difficult to reconcile, but I made peace with myself, focusing on improving and performing better. That has given me immense motivation,” Siraj was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
Mohammed Siraj recently praised Virat Kohli, his former Royal Challengers Bangalore teammate, for his unwavering support throughout Siraj’s career, especially during difficult periods. Siraj highlighted Kohli’s consistent backing as instrumental to his success.
Siraj described Kohli’s unwavering self-confidence, even amidst external skepticism. He emphasized Kohli’s consistent support and its positive effect on Siraj’s morale during challenging times.
“Virat Kohli bhaiya gave me a lot of backing and support during my tough phases. I’ve witnessed many ups and downs. And Virat Bhaiya backs me a lot in my down phase,” Siraj added.
Mohammed Siraj’s next IPL match is scheduled for April 21st, when Gujarat Titans face the Kolkata Knight Riders.
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