Mohammed Siraj has been among the top performers of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) so far and has played a key role in the Gujarat Titans' (GT) brilliant start to the season, which has seen them win three games in a row after losing their opening game.

GT currently are second on the table and is level on points with table toppers Delhi Capitals (DC). Siraj is the joint second-highest wicket-taker of the tournament, with a tally of nine wickets in four matches. The 31-year-old won the Player of the Match (POTM) in GT's away games against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Ironically, both are Siraj's former teams.

Siraj has been a regular part of the Indain team across all three formats for the last four years but was shockingly left out of the 2025 Champions Trophy squad despite Jasprit Bumrah's absence and him being the world's top ranked ODI bowler not long ago. Harshit Rana was picked as the third pacer, alongside Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Shami in the squad despite the youngster not making his ODI debut when the squad was announced.

Indian captain Rohit Sharma was blunt in his assessment of Siraj and claimed that the pacer lost his effectiveness with the old ball.

On being asked by Harsha Bhogla in the post-match presentation after GT's win over SRH if he had a point to prove, Siraj played down any such feelings and stated he accepted that it was not in his destiny to be part of the Champions Trophy triumph.

"No sir. It is god's plan. When you are not in the team, you have doubts but kept my mind positive that this was not in my destiny. But IPL was ahead and had to get ready for IPL," said Siraj.

However, the star pacer admitted that it was tough for him to digest not being part of the Indian squad but he used the break to work on his weaknesses.

“I have played for seven years for RCB. I have worked hard on my bowling and also on my mindset, it is working really well for me. At one time, I was not able to digest it (having not been picked for Champions Trophy) but I kept my spirits up and worked on my fitness and game. Whatever mistakes I was making, I worked on those and I am enjoying my bowling,” Siraj stated.

The 2025 IPL also marks Siraj's first campaign for GT after being signed for Rs. 12.25 crore in the auction. He was released by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) after playing for them for seven seasons.

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