Gujarat Titans fast bowler Mohammed Siraj said it was emotional for him to play against his former franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Wednesday, where GT won by eight wickets. Siraj was not retained by RCB ahead of the auction and was also ignored in India’s Champions Trophy squad despite the absence of gun fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah.

The right-arm pacer made a brilliant start he produced Phil Salt’s outside edge in the first over but an easy catch was dropped by Jos Buttler. However, Siraj clean bowled Devdutt Padikkal and also got the big wicket of dangerous Salt. 

In the second spell, Siraj got the big wicket of well-settled Liam Livingstone, who lived a charmed life and scored 54 runs. Siraj returned with impressive figures of 3-19 in his quota of four overs and thus bagged the Player of the Match.

On receiving advice from senior pros, Ashish Nehra and Ishant Sharma, Siraj said, “Once I was picked up by Gujarat Titans, I spoke to Ashish Bhai. He (Nehra) tells me to go enjoy your bowling and Ishu (Ishant) Bhai tells me what line and length to bowl. My mindset is to have belief and then the pitch does not matter.”

Siraj said he corrected his mistakes and worked hard on his fitness after he was not picked for the CT squad.

He added, “I was a bit emotional. I was here for 7 years, changed jersery from red to blue and was emotional but once I got the ball I was fine. I am Ronaldo’s fan and hence the celebration. I had been playing consistently, but during the break I corrected my mistakes and worked on my fitness.”

Gujarat Titans will next take on Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad on Sunday.