Gujarat Titans (GT) fast bowler Mohammed Siraj has shared how the removal of the saliva ban in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has benefited bowlers. Prior to the IPL 2025 season, the organisers had announced that the use of saliva, which was prohibited during the COVID-19 outbreak would be allowed once more.
“I am enjoying. I had a rest, so I was working on my bowling, my fitness and my mentality. My body is fresh, so I am enjoying my bowling. (On if he is enjoying the rule of applying saliva on the ball) 100 per cent. If the ball tails a bit, it is a wicket. When there is no saliva, the ball comes onto the bat easily. This rule makes it much better for the bowlers, with lbw and bowled now a chance (for the bowlers). The wicket is slow. I tried to swing it, but it did not happen. The more you attack the stumps, the better it is. It is a good total, but maybe ten runs more.” during the innings break, Siraj said.
Against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mohammed Siraj delivered a stellar spell, finishing with figures of 4/17 a performance that played a key role in helping Gujarat Titans restrict the home side to 152/8. The pacer dismissed Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Aniket Verma and Simarjeet Singh during the SRH vs GT clash on Sunday. These figures marked his best-ever performance in the IPL. With this feat, Siraj also became the 12th Indian fast bowler to reach 100 wickets in the tournament. So far this season, the pacer has picked up nine wickets from four matches.
Gujarat Titans won the toss and chose to bowl first against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The Pat Cummins-led team could only manage 45/2 during the powerplay. Middle-order batters Nitish Kumar Reddy (31) and Heinrich Klaasen (27) attempted to anchor the innings. Skipper Pat Cummins chipped in with an unbeaten 22, but the hosts were ultimately limited to 152/8 in their 20 overs.
Shubman Gill Anchors GT to Victory After Early Setbacks
Gujarat Titans’ chase got off to a shaky start as Mohammed Shami dismissed Sai Sudharsan early, followed by Pat Cummins removing Jos Buttler for a duck. However, Washington Sundar, playing his first game of the season, counter-attacked with a quick 49 off 29 balls, adding a crucial 90-run stand with Shubman Gill for the third wicket.
Gill anchored the innings with a composed 61* off 43 balls, hitting nine boundaries, while impact sub-Sherfane Rutherford finished things off in style with an unbeaten 35 off just 16. Shami (2/28) was the standout bowler, and Cummins (1/26) bowled economically, but the rest of the SRH bowling attack failed to contain the flow of runs, as GT chased down the target comfortably.
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