Mohammed Siraj played for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for seven years, taking 99 wickets in 102 games. But before the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) 2025 major auction, the 31-year-old was let go. The right-arm pacer was purchased by Gujarat Titans for INR 12.25 crore at the auction.
Because they believed that the Hyderabad speedster had given his all each season, RCB supporters were upset that the team administration had allowed Siraj depart. In 15 IPL 2025 games, Siraj claimed 16 wickets, including a four-for against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
However, Mo Bobat, the director of cricket for the RCB, has now disclosed the reasoning behind the veteran fast bowler’s release.
In an interview with Cricbuzz, Bobat stated, “Siraj is probably the player that we spent the longest deliberating over,”
“It’s difficult to find Indian international bowlers. We pondered for a long time whether we should keep him, let him go, try to win him back at the auction, or if he had a right to match. We talked to him about everything,” Bobat disclosed.
We were eager to try to acquire Bhuvi. Mo Bobat
Bobat clarified that RCB was more interested in signing Bhuvneshwar Kumar because he could assist them by performing well both in the back end and with the new ball.
We also considered hanging on to Siraj since we were eager to attempt and get Bhuvi (for two ends of the innings) and we believed that would make it harder to do so. There are several factors involved; there is never just one, Bobat thought.
In the end, RCB paid INR 12.50 crore for Australian fast Josh Hazlewood and INR 10.75 crore for veteran Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar. In 12 matches, they took 22 wickets, and in 14 matches, they took 17.
Additionally, Bobat disclosed that the sole reason Australian all-rounder Cameron Green was not kept on was because to his chronic injury.
“Had he been fit, we would almost certainly have retained Cameron Green,” Bobat stated.
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