In an exciting IPL 2025 match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Mohammed Siraj, a fast bowler with a big heart, stepped onto the field wearing the Gujarat Titans (GT) jersey. This wasn’t just any game for him—it was a return to his old home, where he had played for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for seven years. Facing his former team, Siraj bowled like a champion, taking 3 wickets and helping GT win by 8 wickets. It was a day full of emotions, fast balls, and cheers, and Siraj walked away as the “Man of the Match.”
Emotional Reunion with Old Friends
Before the match began, Siraj felt a mix of nerves and excitement. “I was a bit emotional, I was here for 7 years, but once I got the ball, I was fine,” he said afterward. Imagine playing against your old buddies—it’s not easy! Siraj hugged Virat Kohli, his former RCB captain and mentor, showing their strong friendship. “It was special to see Virat bhai again,” Siraj shared. “He’s always supported me, and I owe him a lot.” The Bengaluru crowd, who used to cheer for Siraj, didn’t know what to do. They loved him, but they wanted RCB to win. In the end, they clapped for his amazing game anyway.
Siraj’s Stellar Spell Shines Bright
Siraj’s bowling was like a superhero moment in the match. He took 3 wickets and only gave away 19 runs in his 4 overs—that’s like stopping the other team from scoring big! He knocked over Devdutt Padikkal’s stumps, sent Phil Salt’s stumps flying with a super-fast 144 kmph ball (that’s really quick!), and got rid of Liam Livingstone, a big hitter. Siraj didn’t just take wickets; he bowled so well that RCB couldn’t score many runs. A fan on X wrote, “Siraj’s 3 wickets in a nutshell: 1. Clean bowled 2. Lights out (144KPH) 3. Top edge, gone. Today’s hero bags Man of the Match!” His speed and control made him the star of the day.
Match Highlights: GT Beats RCB Easily
Here’s what happened in the game: RCB batted first but got off to a shaky start. Siraj and his teammate Arshad Khan made it tough for them, taking wickets early. Liam Livingstone scored 54 runs, and Jitesh Sharma (33) and Tim David (32 not out) helped RCB reach 169/8. That’s a decent score, but GT had other plans. When GT batted, Jos Buttler smashed an unbeaten 73, hitting 5 fours and 6 sixes, while Sai Sudharsan added 49. Even though they lost Shubman Gill early, GT chased the score with 13 balls left—talk about a smooth win!
Siraj’s Bowling Numbers Tell the Story
Check out this table to see how awesome Siraj was compared to GT’s other bowlers:
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy (Runs per Over) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M. Siraj | 4 | 19 | 3 | 4.75 |
| A. Khan | 4 | 17 | 1 | 4.25 |
| I. Sharma | 4 | 27 | 1 | 6.75 |
| P. Krishna | 4 | 40 | 1 | 10.00 |
| R. Sai Kishore | 4 | 22 | 2 | 5.50 |
Siraj’s 3 wickets and low runs (economy of 4.75) show he was the toughest bowler for RCB to face. It’s like he built a wall they couldn’t climb!
Siraj’s Journey with RCB: A Big Chapter
Siraj started with RCB in 2018 and became a fan favorite fast. He’s known for bowling super quick and never giving up. In seven years, he grabbed 98 wickets for RCB—his best was 4/32 against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2020. But before IPL 2025, RCB let him go, and GT picked him up for ₹12.25 crore (that’s a lot of money!). This match proved GT made a smart choice, as Siraj showed his old team what they’re missing.
Impact on the IPL 2025 Season
This win pushed GT up to fourth place in the IPL 2025 standings, while RCB dropped to third after their first loss. Siraj’s big day gave GT a boost and told other teams, “Watch out, our bowlers are strong!” RCB needs to shake off this loss quick because tough games are coming. GT, though, is feeling great and ready to keep winning.
Fans Cheer Loudly on Social Media
Fans couldn’t stop talking about Siraj on X. One wrote, “Siraj celebrates Bengaluru homecoming with record performance against GT 🔥 The former RCB pacer finished with 3/19 in his 4 overs, picking Salt, Devdutt, and Livingstone.” Another said, “Siraj’s 3 wickets in a nutshell: 1. Clean bowled 2. Lights out (144KPH) 3. Top edge, gone. Today’s hero bags Man of the Match! Ex-RCBian shows his class to RCB, Levels!👿” Everyone loved how he turned his emotions into a winning performance.
RCB vs GT: Rivalry Gets Hotter
This match made the RCB-GT rivalry even bigger. GT won the IPL in 2022 and keeps getting stronger. Games against RCB are always close, and this win gives GT bragging rights. Next time they play, RCB will want revenge, and fans can’t wait to see more fireworks between these teams.
Siraj’s Inspiring Story Keeps Growing
Siraj’s life is like a movie. He started with very little but worked hard to become one of India’s best fast bowlers. Facing RCB was tough because of all the memories, but he stayed focused and bowled his heart out. His story shows that if you believe in yourself, you can do amazing things, no matter where you start.
