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IPL 2025: Siraj to bank on his familiarity with RCB to gain an edge for GT?
Playing at Chinnaswamy will surely feel different for Mohammed Siraj this year. The seamer has now settled into the Gujarat Titans camp, having already played two matches with his new team. However, as IPL 2025 finally brings him back to the Chinnaswamy Stadium, the memories are bound to come rushing in. Royal Challengers Bengaluru will play their first home fixture, the RCB vs GT IPL 2025 match. Interestingly, Siraj and RCB, no longer together after an extended stint, will return to the iconic venue at the same time. Beyond the emotional aspect of the seamer facing his former team and Virat Kohli, could his familiarity with the ground and the squad work to his advantage and, in turn, benefit Gujarat Titans in the upcoming clash?
Siraj could exploit his familiarity with Virat Kohli in the RCB vs GT IPL 2025 match, reckons Irfan Pathan
Virat Kohli and Mohammed Siraj have shared the same battlefield, striving for victories with both Team India and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. But IPL retentions and the mega-auction in November have now placed them on opposing sides. When RCB take on Gujarat Titans at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday, former teammates will transform into rivals. Before the showdown, Kohli and Siraj shared an emotional moment, embracing warmly as they reunited for the first time since the Border Gavaskar Trophy.
Siraj, however, has faced a few setbacks. He was left out of India’s Champions Trophy squad, a campaign that saw Kohli clinch his fourth ICC title. The pacer also missed the home ODI series against England and the UAE-based CT but remains determined to reclaim his spot. His recent performances have been a mixed bag; after conceding 54 runs against Punjab Kings, he bounced back with a solid 2/34 against Mumbai Indians. But tonight, the real challenge awaits as his mentor stands at the other end.
Fueling this much-anticipated duel is Irfan Pathan, who predicts a fiery battle between the two. He believes Siraj won’t hesitate to target Kohli’s Achilles’ heel, deliveries outside off stump. The flaw was exploited during India’s tour of Australia, and while this is a different tournament and format, Pathan is convinced Siraj will have that weakness in mind.
"A solid emotion is attached to this game, which is Mohammed Siraj's return to the Chinnaswamy stadium, but in a jersey that is not red in colour. The battle I am looking forward to is Virat Kohli vs Mohammed Siraj. Siraj will need to bowl out of his boots. He is well aware he can bowl that line outside off to him. How Kohli counters it is another fascinating aspect of it," Irfan Pathan said.
