Cricholic
Mohammed Siraj Dominates the PowerPlay
The fifth over of the first innings was full of action. Mohammed Siraj nearly ran out Phil Salt but missed by a whisker. Moments later, the ball was smashed out of the ground, forcing a change. However, Siraj wasn’t happy with the replacement ball, leading to a brief delay as Gujarat Titans players voiced their concerns. They had good reason—the previous ball had worked wonders, especially for Siraj in the PowerPlay.
The RCB crowd, once cheering for Siraj, fell silent when he bowled a fiery 144kph delivery. The ball crashed into Salt’s stumps, marking a sensational moment. His celebration echoed Cristiano Ronaldo’s iconic “Siuu”—this time, it was Siraj making a statement. After seven seasons with RCB, his PowerPlay dominance was evident in the stats.
Mohammed Siraj’s IPL PowerPlay Record Since 2023:
- At Chinnaswamy: 14 matches, 12 wickets, average 16.25, strike rate 15.5, economy 6.29
- Other venues: 17 matches, 7 wickets, average 43.28, strike rate 30, economy 8.65
Despite his past performances, RCB chose not to retain Siraj or use the Right to Match card. Gujarat Titans secured him for INR 12.25 crore. Facing his former team was an emotional moment for Siraj. Head coach Andy Flower praised his performance.
“I thought he bowled an outstanding spell with the new ball. His lines were really tight, his lengths were good, and he threatened the stumps a lot. So good on him,” Flower said with a smile.
RCB had revamped their bowling attack for home conditions. However, they couldn’t keep two of their top wicket-takers at Chinnaswamy. Now, they could only watch as Siraj dominated from the opposition’s side.
Sai Kishore’s Impactful Spell Adds to RCB’s Woes
Despite RCB’s batting depth, they struggled to recover. Liam Livingstone and Jitesh Sharma briefly steadied the innings, but R Sai Kishore’s crucial spell shattered their hopes.
Bowling 4-0-22-2 at Chinnaswamy is no easy feat, especially when Rashid Khan had one of his costliest spells in IPL history. Yet, Kishore thrived under pressure. His clever angles and variations troubled the RCB batters.
Switching from around the wicket to over, he deceived Jitesh Sharma with flight, while a carrom ball outfoxed Krunal Pandya. His control over the middle overs helped Gujarat Titans tighten their grip on the match.
Teammate Sai Sudharsan praised Kishore’s tactical awareness and execution.
“This was the most important spell of the match because the wicket was tricky for fast bowlers. As batters, we try to attack spinners, but he was smart. He used the right speeds and angles to control Livingstone and Tim David. That’s why he had a great game,” Sudharsan said.
An Emotional Homecoming
Off the field, Sai Kishore is known for his humility and deep understanding of the game. Sudharsan highlighted his preparation and adaptability.
“The effort he puts in, his tactical understanding, and how he adapts—it all makes him stand out. His ability to control speeds and angles is one of his biggest strengths,” he added.
There was no “Siuu” celebration from Kishore, but he and Mohammed Siraj ensured Gujarat Titans secured a commanding victory.
