Mohammed Siraj’s seven-year journey with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) came to an emotional end as the Gujarat Titans secured his services for an impressive INR 12.25 crore at the IPL 2024 mega auction held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The Titans outbid Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) in a fierce bidding war to acquire the Hyderabad pacer.
Siraj, who began his IPL career with Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2017, joined RCB in 2018 and became an integral part of the franchise.
During his stint, he played 87 matches, taking 83 wickets, including his remarkable 2020 performance where he became the first IPL bowler to deliver two consecutive maiden overs in a single game.
In a heartfelt letter addressed to RCB and its fans, Siraj expressed his gratitude for the unwavering support he received over the years:
“Saat saal RCB ke saath mere dil ke bahut kareeb hain (The 7 years with RCB are close to my heart). From the first ball I bowled in RCB colors to every wicket taken, every match played, the journey has been extraordinary. RCB is more than a franchise; it’s a family. Though I now step into a new chapter with Gujarat Titans, RCB will always have a piece of my heart. Thank you for believing in me and making me feel part of something bigger than cricket.”
Despite RCB having the chance to use the Right to Match card to retain Siraj, they opted not to, paving the way for his move to Gujarat Titans.
At his new franchise, Siraj will team up with world-class pacers like Ishant Sharma and Kagiso Rabada under the leadership of Shubman Gill.
It will be intriguing to see how Siraj adapts to his new environment, bringing his experience and skill to bolster Gujarat Titans’ pace attack. Fans and cricket enthusiasts alike eagerly await his performance in this exciting new chapter of his IPL career.