Sehwag Praises Siraj's Fiery Comeback Against RCB
Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag has expressed immense praise for Mohammed Siraj following his impactful performance against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the ongoing IPL 2025. Siraj, who was recently traded to the Gujarat Titans (GT), delivered a stellar performance, showcasing both skill and aggression, a display that caught Sehwag’s attention.
Siraj's Outstanding Performance
Siraj’s return to the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, the venue where he previously represented RCB, was marked by an outstanding display of bowling prowess. He initially conceded a four to Virat Kohli but swiftly recovered, demonstrating remarkable control and precision.
- Removed Devdut Padikkal for a mere four runs.
- Cleaned up Phil Salt with a devastating delivery, shattering the off stump.
Sehwag, speaking on Cricbuzz, noted Siraj's ability to consistently extract value with the new ball and highlighted the added edge in his performance. He believes this intensity stems from both the challenge of facing his former team and his omission from India's Champions Trophy squad.
Sehwag's Analysis
“He maintained his record with the new ball in ChinnaSwamy. He gave away only 12 or 13 runs in the first three overs. He could’ve probably bowled the fourth over at the same time, too; he might have taken another wicket,' Sehwag stated.
He further elaborated, “He has that fire. And somewhere, I feel he is hurt that he wasn’t part of the Champions Trophy squad, and I saw that fire. That’s what we expect from a young fast bowler.”
Siraj's Perspective
Reflecting on his recent performance and his overall journey, Siraj acknowledged the value of the break he had from international cricket. He explained that this period allowed him to self-reflect on his shortcomings and dedicate himself to improving his bowling and fitness.
“I was playing matches consistently, so was not realising the mistakes I was making. In the break, I focused on my bowling, on my fitness,' Siraj remarked during the post-match presentation.
Furthermore, Siraj sought advice and guidance from former India paceman and coach Ashish Nehra after joining the Gujarat Titans, demonstrating his commitment to continuous improvement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Why was Mohammed Siraj traded from RCB? Siraj wasn’t retained by RCB ahead of IPL 2025.
- What motivated Siraj’s strong performance? A combination of facing his former team and being left out of the Champions Trophy squad fueled his performance.
- Who did Siraj seek advice from after joining the GT? He sought guidance from former India paceman and coach Ashish Nehra.