RCB vs GT: Mohd Siraj Credits Break From Cricket For Improved Showing In IPL 2025

Mohammed Siraj celebrated his homecoming at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, in style, with his best figures ever at the ground, which came in the match against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on April 2 (Tuesday). 

The pacer, who now has five wickets on his hands in the first three matches of IPL 2025, thanks to figures of 3/19, credited a break from non-stop cricket as the reason for his improved showing in the league.

Speaking at the post-match prevention ceremony, Player of the Match, Siraj said, “I was playing matches consistently, so was not realizing the mistakes I was making. In the break, I focused on my bowling, on my fitness and, when I joined GT, I spoke to Ashu bhai (Ashish Nehra) and the ball is coming out nicely now.”

Shubman Gill, captain of the Titans, felt that the wicket was surprising in nature for them and said that it was supportive of fast bowlers. 

“It is surprising, the wicket sometimes plays really well and sometimes there is something in it for the seamers with the new ball. There was something in it for the fast bowlers in the first 7–8 overs (tonight) and it was stopping,” Gill said. 

Rajat Patidar, captain of the RCB, who tasted first defeat in his captaincy stint with the Bengaluru-based team said that they were targeting a total of around 190. However, he blamed the loss of early wickets as the reason for his team’s failure to touch that target. 

“Early wickets harmed this match (for us). The intent was good, but three wickets in the powerplay made a difference,” he said.