Why Did Mohammed Siraj Not Celebrate Rohit Sharma's Wicket?

New Delhi, May 30 (NationPress) Mohammed Siraj, the fast bowler for the Gujarat Titans, shared his thoughts on bowling against Rohit Sharma and the subdued reaction after he clean bowled the former Indian captain during his second match in IPL 2025.

Now representing the Gujarat Titans after a lengthy tenure with the Royal Challengers Bangalore, Siraj has quietly made a remarkable comeback this season.

In the ninth match of IPL, Siraj faced Rohit, initially conceding a boundary, but he swiftly bounced back with a flawless inswinger that knocked over the stumps. During an interview on JioHotstar’s Gen Bold special, he remarked, "My debut match did not go as planned—it was a high-pressure game after a long hiatus. However, I learned from that experience and redirected my focus to my bowling. Against Rohit bhai, I attempted to swing the ball on two occasions without success. I then adhered to my strategy and secured the wicket. I hold a great deal of respect for him, which is why I didn’t celebrate excessively."

Siraj also recounted the time he was excluded from India’s squad for the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy. He stated that this setback motivated him to refine his skills and concentrate on self-improvement.

“My objective was to remain focused on the present. The Champions Trophy selection held significant weight for me, but I reassured myself that it wasn't the end. ICC tournaments are crucial for any player—yet I recognized the necessity to emphasize my skills and fitness. I aimed to rediscover my joy for bowling. Now, I feel a renewed sense of confidence and enjoyment in my game.”

Siraj experienced a surge of emotions when playing against his former team RCB and encountering his past captain Virat Kohli on the field. “Having spent seven years with RCB, I have a deep understanding of the team. It was an emotional moment for me. However, as the game progressed, my focus shifted.”

Against RCB, Siraj delivered an impressive performance, ending with figures of 3 for 19 in four overs. He took crucial wickets during the powerplay and earned the title of Player of the Match.

The evening was made even more special as Siraj played in front of his family in Hyderabad. He described it as one of the most significant moments of his career. "The most unforgettable experience was having my family in the stands. Performing for them instills immense confidence in me. My parents have supported me tirelessly and faced many challenges—we’ve endured tough times together. Yet, seeing their son perform in front of thousands fills them with pride. It was a surreal feeling knowing they were present; it’s hard to articulate, but I truly cherished that moment. Even as a visiting player, it felt like playing at home, which made it even more special," the pacer expressed.