Gujarat Titans (GT) will begin their IPL 2025 campaign later today in Ahmedabad against Punjab Kings (PBKS). Under Shubman Gill’s captaincy, they will look to kick off the campaign with a win, but for that, eyes will be on Mohammed Siraj as he needs to step up to help GT secure victory.
After playing for seven years with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Siraj will now don the GT jersey and look to give his best. Ahead of their season opener, Siraj had an exclusive chat with RevSportz’s Editor-in-Chief, Boria Majumdar, where he opened up about his new team, environment, preparations, and much more.
Gujarat Titans, new season. How are you feeling?
I am feeling very good. As a bowler, it is a very big ground, and the environment is also very good. There is a lot of freedom, and it is great to have such a big ground as a fast bowler. There are plenty of chances to get a wicket. I am looking forward to this year, and I am very excited.
Tell me a little about your preparation and efforts.
Sir, my preparation is going very well. I was on a break and worked on my bowling and fitness. I played matches, and after the Ranji Trophy, I came back and focussed on my fitness, training, and bowling. If we talk about my effort, I give 100 per cent because when I have the ball in my hand, I can give my full effort. Apart from that, I do not run after too many things.
How was the Gujarat Titans on the first day? How did they welcome you?
Ashu (Ashish Nehra) bhai welcomed me. I was with Ashu bhai at RCB in 2018, and the support staff was also there. It is not like I am meeting them for the first time, but I am seeing them after a long time. It feels good. The practice is going well, and it is fun here.
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Tell us about Ashish as a coach.
As a bowler, it is important to have a coach like Ashu bhai. He has won a lot of matches for India with great performances, and he is a legend. I get to learn a lot from him. The way he stays calm is very important. But I do not like to stay calm. Shami (Mohammed Shami) bhai also played here, and he was taking a lot of wickets with the new ball. I would like to do the same—take as many wickets as possible with the new ball and keep my team ahead.
How important are the conditions and the nature of the wicket at the Narendra Modi Stadium for you this season?
It will be crucial. In Bengaluru, the top edge often goes for a six, but here, the ground is big, so there are more chances to take wickets. We can use short balls and execute our plans better because of the bigger ground.
Tell me about Shubman Gill, the captain.
Shubman is a very good captain, and he is a bowler’s captain. Whatever the bowlers ask for, he provides. He gives that freedom to the bowlers. Our relationship is good, and whenever Rishabh Pant, Shubman, Axar Patel, and I are together outside, we usually roam around and have dinner together. So, our bonding is very strong. Our Test debut was also together, which makes our connection even better.
Mohammed Siraj vs Virat Kohli. Thoughts?
When we play for the Indian team, I have bowled a lot against him in the nets, and now, for the first time, I will be playing against him in a match. So, it will be fun, and I am very excited.
How are you feeling with your body?
Sir, my body is feeling good. For me, everything depends on rhythm—the better my rhythm, the better I bowl. I have also worked on my mindset, and the break I got was very helpful. The body does get tired after playing so many matches, but right now, I am in good condition physically.
The passion that you bring to the game, Siraj—the whole package—tell me about it?
I went to play a Ranji Trophy match after five Tests, and I bowled 40 overs. After playing five Tests, I still bowled those overs, and that made me realise that when I get into a game, I forget everything—whether it is injuries or pain. I just focus on giving 110 per cent. If I do not get a wicket, then I think about what I can do in the field. What magic can I create that will help the team? So, I train my mind accordingly.
How do you see your role in GT this time?
To be honest, I know [Kagiso] Rabada is here, and Prasidh [Krishna] is also here, but when I bowl with the new ball, my role will be to take early wickets and put pressure on the opposition as quickly as possible. If I do not get wickets, then my aim will be to bowl dot balls to build that pressure. So, for me, my role is to take as many wickets as possible at the start, which will help the bowlers coming in later.
What is your role as a senior player in the dressing room?
See, in the nets, when Prasidh and I are bowling, we always discuss different situations—what plans we need to execute and where we should bowl to a particular batter. Prasidh and I have been playing in the Indian team for a long time now, so we have a good understanding between us. Another youngster, Arshad Khan, is a talented left-arm fast bowler. He can swing the ball both ways—inswing and outswing—and I always coordinate with him. He can also bat, so he is a proper all-rounder. We all discuss and share plans that we need to execute, and it has been fun so far.
To make a comeback in the white-ball format for Team India, is this IPL more crucial for you now?
Selection is not in my hands. What is in my hands is taking wickets and performing for my team. I will give my 100 per cent. If I start thinking about selection, it might affect my performance. In the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, just after the IPL, I was only thinking about selection and that I needed to bowl well. But the performances did not come. Later, I realised that the only things in my control are my bowling and giving 100 per cent. The most important thing is performance and whether I am executing my plans properly. I have learned this over the last few years, and it has been very helpful.
🚨 #MdSiraj Exclusive
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— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) March 25, 2025
How did you stay rooted?
When I started playing cricket in my childhood, where I used to sit, I still go and sit there because it gives me peace. All these things—attitude, pride, and money—you have to leave behind one day. You cannot take anything with you. So, it is better to stay down to earth as much as possible, and if there is a chance to do good for someone, I always try to do it. This has been my belief from the beginning, and it will always remain the same. Whoever needs help, I will help them first, even now. If God is giving me so much, how can I not help others? So much money is coming in, and I feel I have everything I need. That is why I believe in staying humble—God will take care of the rest.