Mohammed Siraj may not have opened his account with the ball, but he left an immediate impact in the field during Match 35 of IPL 2025 between Gujarat Titans and Delhi Capitals at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday, April 19. Despite a wayward first over that went for 16 runs—including a couple of wides—the Gujarat speedster quickly made amends with a brilliant fielding effort that shifted the early momentum in his team’s favour.
In the very next over, Arshad Khan delivered a low full toss to Abishek Porel, who attempted to muscle it down the ground. The timing was solid, but the placement let him down, as he found Siraj positioned smartly at mid-on. Siraj made no mistake, pouching the sharp chance cleanly. The moment Porel’s wicket fell, the 30-year-old fast bowler stole the spotlight—not with the ball, but with his celebration.
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Channelling Hardik Pandya’s trademark “shrug of the shoulders” gesture, Siraj celebrated in style, sparking a wave of reactions on social media. It wasn’t just a catch; it was a statement-a—a fiery reminder of his intensity and flair, even on a day when the new ball didn’t go his way.
— Drizzyat12Kennyat8 (@45kennyat7PM) April 19, 2025
— Drizzyat12Kennyat8 (@45kennyat7PM) April 19, 2025
Abishek Porel, who had looked dangerous early on with a quickfire 18 off 9 balls (3 fours, 1 six), was visibly disappointed as he walked back. The catch was a key moment, giving GT an early breakthrough against the table-toppers.
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At the toss, Delhi’s stand-in captain Axar Patel admitted he too wanted to bowl first due to the sweltering Ahmedabad heat. He emphasised clarity in roles and consistency in execution as DC’s focus areas. GT skipper Shubman Gill echoed similar sentiments, choosing to bowl first on what he described as a dry pitch with minimal grass cover and hinted at Rabada’s return in about ten days.
Siraj’s fielding effort, coupled with his celebration, added an extra spark to the high-stakes clash and gave GT a much-needed early boost.
