IPL 2025: Rayudu Advises Siraj To Return To His ‘Natural Ability’ After Shambolic Start With GT

March 26, 2025: Former Chennai Super Kings batter Ambati Rayudu has offered insights into Gujarat Titans’ pace spearhead Mohammed Siraj’s disappointing performance in his debut match for the franchise. After being bought by the Titans for Rs 12.25 crore in last year’s mega auction, Siraj faced a challenging start in Ahmedabad against Punjab Kings.

Rayudu, speaking on ESPNcricinfo’s T20 TimeOut, believes that Siraj struggled due to a deviation from his natural bowling style. The seasoned speedster, who had donned new colours after Royal Challengers Bangalore decided against retaining him, was tasked with opening the bowling for Gujarat. However, he was quickly put under pressure by young batter Priyansh Arya, who smacked back-to-back fours in Siraj’s first over.

As the match progressed, Siraj’s struggles continued. He failed to threaten Punjab’s batters, bowled erratic lines and lengths, and ended up with an expensive spell of 54 runs from 4 overs at an economy rate of 13.50, making him the most costly bowler for the Titans.

Rayudu analyzed Siraj’s performance and pinpointed the issue as a shift in his usual style of bowling. He suggested that Siraj should focus more on his natural ability to bowl inswing deliveries and only occasionally mix in an outswinger.

“[Siraj] is predominantly an inswing bowler. Today, he bowled one ball [that was] seam up and inswing; the rest were all trying to bowl his outswingers, which he [has started doing] recently. But I think he has to get back to his natural ability to bowl that inswing and then maybe try and get one-odd ball to outswing,” Rayudu said.

Despite Siraj’s tough outing, Punjab Kings put up a formidable total of 243/5, eventually winning the game by 11 runs.