“Virat Bhai Always Backed Me”: Siraj Gets Candid After RCB Exit

Mohammed Siraj calls his move from Royal Challengers Bengaluru to Gujarat Titans ‘emotional,’ credits Kohli for his rise

New Delhi, March 21 — Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj has opened up about the emotional goodbye to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as he prepares to represent Gujarat Titans (GT) in the upcoming IPL 2025 season.

“To be honest, Virat bhai has a huge hand in my career. He backed me through tough times. Leaving RCB was emotional,” Siraj said, reflecting on his journey from being a young fast bowler to becoming one of RCB’s top performers.

Bought by RCB in 2018 for ₹2.6 crore, Siraj played 87 matches and picked up 83 wickets, becoming the franchise’s third-highest wicket-taker behind Harshal Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal. He recalled how Virat Kohli stood by him during his lean years, especially in 2018 and 2019, and how being retained by the team turned things around.

Now, with a fresh start at Gujarat Titans, Siraj is focused on building a strong bowling partnership and adapting quickly. “My training is going really well here. The bowling unit is sharp, and everyone knows how to plan and execute,” he said.

Siraj’s standout season came in 2023, when he took 19 wickets in 14 matches with an economy of just 7.50. Even in a challenging 2024 season, he managed 15 wickets and played a key role in RCB’s second-half resurgence that helped them reach the playoffs, only to fall to Rajasthan Royals in the eliminator.

Siraj’s last competitive outing was in the Ranji Trophy earlier this year, where he bagged four wickets against Vidarbha. As the calendar flips to IPL 2025, all eyes will be on April 2, when Siraj faces his former side RCB in what promises to be a high-octane showdown.