Follow UsMohammed Siraj has been on a roll with the ball since joining the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
After impressing against his old team, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), in his former home ground at the Chinnaswamy, Siraj roared to announce his arrival at his domestic home ground in Hyderabad. He picked two Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) wickets in the powerplay and pushed the visiting team on the back foot.
Those two wickets allowed him to have the most powerplay wickets now this season and also helped him become the 12th Indian pacer to take 100 wickets in the IPL.
Speaking in the mid-innings about his bowling, Siraj said that being able to use saliva on the ball in the IPL has actually helped him move the ball more, allowed him to target LBW and bowled dismissals, and improved his mode of dismissal.
“I had a rest, so was working on my bowling, my fitness and my mentality. Body is fresh, so I am really enjoying my bowling,” Siraj said.
“[If he is enjoying being able to apply saliva on the ball] 100%. If the ball tails a bit, it is a wicket. When there is no saliva, the ball comes onto the bat easily.
"This rule makes it much better for the bowlers, with LBW and bowled now being a chance. Wicket is slow. I tried to swing it but it did not happen. The more you attack the stumps, the better it is. It is a good total, but maybe ten runs more [on GT’s score].”
Notably, Siraj has been experiencing a low period in his cricket after he wasn’t selected for the Champions Trophy squad. His return was awaited in the IPL, and so far, he has not disappointed his well-wishers.