The Pace Bowler Welcomes Rule Change and Looks Forward to Playing for Gujarat Titans
NEW DELHI: Mohammed Siraj is thrilled about the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) decision to lift the saliva ban ahead of IPL 2025. The fast bowler sees this as a significant advantage, particularly for reverse swing, which can be a game-changer even on flat pitches.
Saliva Ban Lift: A Boon for Bowlers
Siraj is among the many bowlers who believe that lifting the saliva ban will restore a crucial element to fast bowling. “It’s fantastic news for us bowlers,” he said. “When the ball isn’t swinging much, applying saliva can help generate reverse swing. Scrubbing the ball on your shirt won’t do much, but using saliva helps maintain shine on one side, making it easier to extract movement.”
A New Chapter with Gujarat Titans
With the upcoming season marking his move from Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to Gujarat Titans, Siraj admits feeling emotional about the transition. “Virat bhai supported me a lot during tough times, so leaving RCB was hard,” he shared. However, he is excited about this fresh start. “Joining Gujarat is an incredible opportunity. The team is strong, and I’m eager to play under Shubman Gill’s leadership.”
Shubman Gill: A Captain Who Supports Bowlers
Siraj has high praise for Gill, who will captain Gujarat Titans this season. “Gill is a bowler’s captain. He doesn’t interfere with your plans and lets you experiment. We made our Test debut together in 2020, and our bond has only grown stronger.”
A Strong Bowling Lineup for Gujarat Titans
Gujarat Titans have assembled an elite pace and spin attack, including Kagiso Rabada, Rashid Khan, Ishant Sharma, and Gerald Coetzee. Siraj views this as a huge advantage. “It’s great to have such an experienced bowling unit. The competition within the squad will be healthy, and it takes the pressure off individual bowlers. These guys know their game, and that’s a blessing in a high-intensity tournament like the IPL.”
Staying Focused on IPL 2025
Despite missing recent international games, Siraj is keeping his focus on IPL rather than national selection. “Selection isn’t in my hands, but my performance is. There’s a tour of England and the Asia Cup coming up, but I don’t dwell on it. My priority is delivering for Gujarat Titans and helping them win the title.”
Learning from Ashish Nehra
Another exciting aspect of joining Gujarat Titans is the opportunity to work with head coach Ashish Nehra. “Ashu bhai was a match-winner for India, and I want to learn from his experience. I’m particularly keen on improving my ability to bowl stump-to-stump and hit the right lengths more consistently.”
IPL 2025: A Season Full of Expectations
With a powerful squad and the lifting of the saliva ban benefiting fast bowlers, Siraj is confident about the upcoming season. Cricket fans will be eagerly watching to see how he contributes to Gujarat Titans’ campaign in IPL 2025.(Dubai7-Realmoneygame)