“Wasn’t Able To Digest…”: Mohammed Siraj’s Brutally Honest Revelation On Champions Trophy 2025 Snub

Pacer Mohammed Siraj said on Sunday that he was initially struggling to reconcile after being abandoned from the Indian team for the Champions Trophy earlier this year. Siraj delivered an exceptional performance to return from 4/17 figures in the victory of seven titles of the Titans of Gujarat against Sunrisers Hyderabad in their Indian Premier League match. Speaking during the presentation ceremony, Siraj said: “At one point, I could not digest it (not having been chosen for the Champions trophy) but I kept my mind and I worked on my fitness and my game.” He added: “Whatever the mistakes I made, I worked on them and I appreciate my bowling alley.

“As a professional, when you are still with the Indian team, a doubt develops in your mind (on him who was abandoned) but I have applauded myself and I was looking forward to the IPL.

“When you perform what you are trying to deliver, you stay up. When you move the ball at a time and outside and it works instinctively, it gives you a different feeling.” Siraj was delighted that he could perform so well with his parents looking at him from the stands.

“When you come to your field, it is a special feeling. My family was there in the crowd and it raised me. I played seven years for RCB. I worked hard on my bowling and also on my state of mind, it works very well for me,” said Siraj.

Bowling first, GT limited the SRH to 152 for eight.

Gill praises the quieurs

The skipper of the Gujarat Titans Shubman Gill gave his praise on his quantities after their comfortable victory on Sunristers Hyderabad hosts, calling them “game changers” in the shortest format.

“Quicks change the situation, especially in this format. Many people talk about T20, strikers and strikers, but we believe that the matches are won by quisors and that is why the accent is on quisors (in this franchise).” Gill led forward with the bat, not staying on 61 on 43 balls. The skipper was also happy to see the talented Washington Sundar Exceller when GT’s start.

“He (Washington) was very close (to play) in the match against Mumbai. He was padded the whole match, but with the rule of the impact player, that gives you the opportunity to play someone else (if you need an additional bowler),” said Gill about Washington.

“It was a question of having a good partnership, and we said that once we are ready, we will take it from there.” About Siraj, Gill said: “The energy he brings is huge. When you play against him, you want it in your team. His energy is contagious.” For his part, Washington said that his captain’s advice was to take the game in depth.

“Skipper continued to tell me to play as deeply as possible. I went well and wanted to fight as deeply as possible and finish for the team.

“This has been the trend to Hyderabad in recent years. In the second round, the counter is improving and easier to continue 160-170 on the board. I was well aware and that helped me.” The SRH skipper, Pat Cummins, said: “Not a traditional Hyderabad counter, difficult to obtain control of your sleeves. In the end, it did not turn as much as we thought. Some (points) and they beat well,” he added.

(With the exception of the title, this story has not been published by NDTV staff and is published from a unionized flow.)