The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 delivered yet another electrifying moment as Mohammed Siraj, now donning the Gujarat Titans (GT) jersey, turned the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium into his personal stage. In a high-octane clash against his former team, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Siraj produced a match-defining spell, capped with a viral celebration that had fans buzzing across the cricketing world.
Gujarat opts to bowl
The evening began with GT captain Shubman Gill winning the toss and opting to bowl first under the Bengaluru lights. RCB, led by their new captain, came into the game with high expectations, buoyed by their explosive opener Phil Salt, who has been a revelation in the IPL with his aggressive batting. However, Siraj had other plans.
Mohammad Siraj strikes early
Opening the bowling for GT, Siraj wasted no time in making an impact. In the third over, he faced off against Salt, who had already signaled his intent with a couple of attacking shots. Siraj, known for his fiery pace and relentless energy, delivered a scramble seam ball that darted back in sharply. Salt, looking to dominate, misjudged the line and length, and the ball crashed into his off-stump, sending it cartwheeling. The Chinnaswamy crowd, a mix of RCB loyalists and GT supporters, erupted as Salt trudged back to the pavilion.
What followed was pure theatre. Siraj, eyes blazing with intensity, sprinted down the pitch, leapt into the air, and unleashed Cristiano Ronaldo’s iconic ‘Siuuu’ celebration—a gesture he’s made his own over the years. Arms outstretched, head tilted back, and a guttural “Siuuu” echoing through the stadium, Siraj marked his territory in a moment that blended skill, passion, and a touch of audacity.
Here is the video:
A Phil Salt orbiter 🚀
followed by…
A Mohd. Siraj Special |/ 🫡
It’s all happening in Bengaluru 🔥
Updates ▶ https://t.co/teSEWkWPWL #TATAIPL | #RCBvGT | @mdsirajofficial pic.twitter.com/a8whsXHId3
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 2, 2025
Also WATCH: IPL 2025 – Not Virat Kohli! Rinku Singh turns to Rohit Sharma for a new bat
A nostalgic twist for RCB fans
For RCB fans, the sight of Siraj celebrating against them at Chinnaswamy carried a bittersweet sting. The Hyderabad-born pacer spent seven seasons with RCB from 2018 to 2024. He was a fan favorite, often seen charging in under the Bengaluru floodlights, feeding off the crowd’s energy. His move to GT ahead of IPL 2025 marked the end of an era, and this clash was his first against RCB at his old stomping ground.
