Mohammed Siraj Finds Rhythm Again After Short Break From Cricket

Mohammed Siraj needed a pause. And now that he’s had one, he’s bowling like a man who’s found clarity — and maybe even a little peace.

After a stretch of non-stop cricket, the fast bowler took a step back. That break, it turns out, might’ve been exactly what he needed to rediscover his form and himself. Speaking after Gujarat Titans beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru by eight wickets, Siraj reflected candidly on what’s changed — and why it’s made all the difference.

A Break That Brought Perspective

Siraj didn’t mince words. He’d been on the road, game after game, without a real breather.

“I was playing matches consistently,” he admitted. “So I wasn’t realising the mistakes I was making.”

Just that one sentence says a lot. It’s easy to miss the forest for the trees when you’re deep in it, and Siraj sounded like a man who finally got a moment to step outside of the chaos and catch his breath.

He focused on the basics — sharpening his bowling and building back fitness. Simple stuff, but sometimes that’s all it takes to turn things around.

And honestly? It’s working.

Gujarat Titans Gave Him the Space He Needed

Once Siraj joined Gujarat Titans, the vibes clearly shifted.

The 31-year-old leaned into the experience of his new squad, and more importantly, took cues from someone who’s been there: Ashish Nehra. The GT coach and former India fast bowler had just one key piece of advice — enjoy yourself.

“When I joined GT, I spoke to Ashu bhai and the ball is coming out nicely now,” Siraj said. “He asked me to just enjoy myself and do whatever I wanted.”

That kind of freedom can be rare in high-pressure environments. But Nehra’s approach seems to have worked. Siraj looks lighter, freer, more like the bowler India fans fell in love with during his early days.

Not Alone on This Path — Conversations That Matter

It wasn’t just Nehra, either. Siraj has been talking to other pace bowlers too, both in and out of his team.

He name-checked Kagiso Rabada, Ishant Sharma and others. It’s a smart move. These guys have seen everything — and if you listen closely, there’s always something to pick up.

Here’s what Siraj said helped him most:

• Open feedback from his bowling partners

• Focusing on belief, not just skills

• Knowing when to let go and have fun

He’s clearly soaking it all in. And his performance on the field? Reflecting that new mindset.

A Look at Siraj’s Recent Numbers

So, what does this all mean in terms of performance?

Let’s take a quick look at his IPL 2024 stats compared to the last season to see if the work during his break is translating into results.

(*stats updated as of last match against RCB)

Yep. That’s a leaner, meaner Siraj. He’s quicker, more accurate, and harder to score off. That economy rate dip is a big deal — especially in a format where batters come hard at you from ball one.

Mental Reset Seems to Be the Real Win

Stats are great, sure. But with Siraj, it’s not just about the numbers. It’s about how he carries himself.

One sentence from him really stood out: “As a bowler, I want to always have belief — that is an important thing.”

That quiet confidence is something fans had missed lately. Maybe even Siraj had missed it himself. But now, it’s back.

Even when he wasn’t taking wickets, the aggression and energy he brings was sorely needed — and now it’s accompanied by a much calmer, sharper version of himself.

He isn’t trying to prove a point. He’s just playing. That’s huge.

What Happens Next?

There’s still a long way to go in the season, but Gujarat Titans will be thrilled with this new version of Siraj. And India’s selectors? You can bet they’re watching closely too.

Siraj at his best is a handful on any pitch, in any condition. If he stays fit, focused, and — most importantly — in this new headspace, he’s going to be a major asset not just for GT, but for India moving into the T20 World Cup and beyond.

And honestly, it’s nice to see a player admit they needed to hit pause. Not enough athletes say that out loud.