3 reasons why GT signing Mohammed Siraj at IPL 2025 Auction is a smart move

The Gujarat Titans (GT) have made some key signings so far at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 auction. They signed South African pacer Kagiso Rabada, who is likely to be their lead foreign pacer.

GT seem to have a solid strategy in place to build a potent pace attack for the upcoming season. Their focus on acquiring top fast bowlers is evident as they made another key signing by roping in India pacer Mohammed Siraj for an attractive price of INR 12.25 crore.

Siraj is an all-format bowler for India at the international level and has gained immense experience over the years. Building a strong Indian core is also key for any franchise to be successful at the IPL. The Titans have a strong set of Indian players in their line-up already with the likes of Shubman Gill, Sai Sudarshan, Rahul Tewatia, and Shahrukh Khan who were retained.

Mohammed Siraj will now don the Gujarat Titans jersey and here are three reasons why his buy by the franchise at the IPL 2025 auction is a smart move.

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#3 Steal deal in the IPL 2025 auction

Right-arm pacer Mohammed Siraj, playing for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the last two IPL seasons, has had a decent record. In 2024, he played a key part in their stellar comeback as they made the playoffs.

Siraj picked up 15 wickets from 14 games last season. His best season so far came in 2023, where he grabbed 19 wickets from 14 games at an average of 19.73 and an impressive economy rate of 19.73.

Overall, Siraj has the knack of picking up wickets and has taken 93 scalps from as many games in the league with two four-wicket hauls as well. Therefore, he is a steal deal at his price given that there are only limited Indian fast bowlers with significant experience.

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#2 Perfect Indian pacer to lead the attack and partner Kagiso Rabada

Gujarat Titans acquired South African pacer Kagiso Rabada at the IPL 2025 auction, who can lead their pace attack and be the lead foreign pacer. However, it is equally important to have a skilled Indian pacer in the attack.

The Titans let go of Mohammed Shami ahead of the auction and did not buy him back either. In such a scenario, Siraj fits in as a solid replacement for an experienced Indian pacer and is a long-term investment as well.

Rabada and Siraj together can form a lethal fast-bowling duo at the top and can trouble batters in the powerplay. He can prove to be their lead Indian pacer alongside Rabada.

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#1 Siraj can prove lethal with the new ball

The Narendra Modi Stadium, the home ground of the Gujarat Titans, favors batters more often than not. However, the venue also favors swing initially.

Mohammed Siraj, playing for RCB, has bowled at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium for many seasons. The Chinnaswamy Stadium is probably one of the hardest venues to bowl at in this format, often proving to be a graveyard for bowlers.

His experience of having bowled at the Chinnaswamy Stadium will certainly help with the conditions being better at Ahmedabad. The venue favors swing upfront and if Siraj can manage to exploit the same, he could prove to be lethal with the new ball for the Gujarat Titans.