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Mohammed Siraj is feeling rejuvenated thanks to a much-needed break following India's tour of Australia.
The Gujarat Titans fast bowler reflected on how this rest has revitalized him, allowing him to return to the tournament in top form. After a standout performance of 4 for 17 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Siraj shared how the time off helped him focus on his fitness, bowling technique, and mental preparation.
"The body is fresh, so I'm really enjoying my bowling. The ball is coming out much better," he said, clearly relishing the opportunity to showcase his skills.
Despite being dropped from India's Champions Trophy squad after a stellar 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign, Siraj has started the IPL in excellent form. He is currently the joint second-highest wicket-taker in the league, with nine wickets in just four innings, boasting an impressive strike rate of 10.66 and an economy of 7.75.
His form with the new ball has been particularly sharp, and he's also been potent in the death overs - a critical aspect of T20 cricket. Siraj has already taken three wickets at the death in this IPL season, a promising sign after claiming five in this phase during the 2024 season.
One of the factors Siraj credits for his success is the return of the saliva rule in the IPL, which had been banned in international cricket since the pandemic. This rule change has allowed bowlers like Siraj to generate more movement, particularly when the ball tails into the batter late in the innings.
"If the ball tails in a bit, it's a wicket," Siraj explained. "When there's no saliva, the ball comes onto the bat easily, and it makes it easier for the batters." He believes the ability to get the ball to swing late significantly improves the chances for wickets through LBWs and bowleds.
Against Sunrisers, Siraj struck early in the powerplay, dismissing Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, before returning to claim Aniket Verma and Simarjeet Singh in the 19th over. Reflecting on the slower pitch, Siraj noted the importance of attacking the stumps.
"The more you attack the stumps, the better it is," he said. "The wicket is slow, so I tried to swing it a little at the start, but when that didn't happen, I just focused on being aggressive."
With the fresh momentum from his break and a revitalized bowling strategy, Siraj looks set to continue being a key player for the Gujarat Titans this IPL season, and his performance could prove crucial as the tournament progresses.
