• Home
  • Who Said What
  • I Was Here For 7 Years Emotional Siraj Shares His Feelings After Destroying Rcb

'I Was Here For 7 Years...,' Emotional Siraj Shares His Feelings After Destroying RCB

Soumyajit Dutta

Mohammed Siraj [Source: AP]Mohammed Siraj [Source: AP]

Mohammed Siraj silenced his former home ground with a fiery 3/19 spell, spearheading Gujarat Titans’ dominant win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. 

The 31-year-old, playing his first game at the venue since leaving RCB after seven seasons, struck early to dismiss Devdutt Padikkal and Phil Salt in the powerplay before removing Rajat Patidar later.  Siraj's signature Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired ‘siu' celebration punctuated each wicket, symbolising both his personal triumph and bittersweet emotions. 

Siraj Becomes Emotional While Bowling At RCB

Not retained by RCB ahead of the 2025 mega auction, Siraj’s Player of the Match performance underscored his relentless evolution as a pace spearhead.  

Siraj’s RCB legacy of 87 matches, 83 wickets, with best figures of 4/21—loomed large, but the pacer channelled his emotions into precision. 

“I was a bit emotional. I was here for 7 years, changed jersey from red to blue. There was some nervousness and some emotion but the moment I got the ball in my hand, it was full-on,” he admitted post-match.

When questioned about his ‘siu’ celebration after each dismissal, Mohammed Siraj grinned to confess that, “I am Ronaldo's fan and hence the celebration.”  

How Siraj Scripted His Comeback

The Hyderabad speedster also reflected on using his exclusion from India’s Champions Trophy squad as fuel. 

“I had been playing consistently, but during the break, I corrected my mistakes and worked on my fitness.” 

At GT, mentorship from Ashish Nehra and Ishant Sharma has sharpened his approach. 

“Ashish Bhai tells me to enjoy my bowling, while Ishu Bhai advises on line and length. My mindset is to have belief—then the pitch doesn’t matter,” Siraj shared, embodying the clarity that now defines his game.  

With that being said, Siraj now aims to replicate his heroics in the upcoming clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 6 at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.