Mohammed Siraj Virat Kohli for RCB. Image Credits: X
When Mohammad Siraj steps into the field, the opponent batters become extra cautious to face his fiery delivery. Today, the world celebrates his heroics, but RCB and former captain Virat Kohli played key roles in his rapid rise.
Siraj donned the RCB colors for seven long years before the franchise parted ways with him. But recently, when Virat Kohli was asked to name RCB’s all-time best XI, he snubbed Mohammed Siraj.
Virat Kohli removes Mohammed Siraj from RCB’s all-time XI
RCB might have had to wait for their maiden IPL trophy for 18 long years, but the franchise gifted some of the champion players to the Indian cricket. Among them, Mohammed Siraj rose from humble beginnings to dominate the cricket world with his sheer pace. Throughout his journey to the top, RCB played a pivotal role in shaping his career.
After seven glorious seasons, the franchise parted ways with him as the Gujarat Titans roped him in IPL 2025. That was a tough blow for the ace pacer, but recently Virat Kohli dealt him an even bigger heartbreak.
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Before the IPL 2026 began, King Kohli was asked to name RCB’s all-time best playing XI, and Kohli's bold choices turned heads. After selecting the top and middle order, he balanced pace and spin brilliantly, including some legendary bowlers in the lineup.
Handing the spin position to Yuzvendra Chahal and Anil Kumble, he named Mitchell Starc, Dale Steyn, and Harshal Patel as pacers. In doing so, he shockingly snubbed Mohammed Siraj from RCB’s all-time best playing XI.
During Virat Kohli’s captaincy era, Siraj was a go-to bowler for the former skipper. Donning the RCB jersey, he played 87 matches and secured 83 wickets, including some match-winning spells.
Kohli assembles RCB's top order with global legends
Over the years, some of the biggest legends have represented RCB, and while naming the franchise’s all-time best XI, Virat Kohli brought all of them together. For the opening spot, he paired himself with Chris Gayle. The IPL stage has shown just how destructive this opening duo can be.
In the history of the franchise, no other batters were as effortless as AB de Villiers at the number 3 position, as even Kohli went with Mr. 360 for that position. As the number four position asks for maturity with elegance, King Kohli entrusted KL Rahul.
For the number five, he named RCB’s current skipper Rajat Patidar, as his ability against spin earned him that spot. He then chose Dinesh Karthik and Harshal Patel for the sixth and seventh positions before completing the lineup with the bowlers.
Siraj set to fire again for the Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026
After RCB released him post-IPL 2024, Mohammed Siraj joined the Gujarat Titans, becoming a true Titan. Donning the new jersey, he channeled the same old brilliance. In the last IPL season, he secured 16 wickets in 15 matches with an economy rate of 8.73.
Even though the Gujarat Titans ended their journey in the playoffs last year, Mohammed Siraj remained one of their strongest weapons. As the new season starts soon, the ace Indian pacer is eyeing a breakthrough season for the Titans.
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