The IPL 2025 match between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans on Saturday was expected to be an intense battle, but it wasn’t just Gujarat’s 36-run victory that grabbed headlines. A particular moment in the game involving Rohit Sharma and Mohammad Siraj has sparked widespread discussion, reviving an old controversy surrounding Siraj’s bowling capabilities.
Rohit Sharma’s Old Comment Comes Back into Discussion
Mohammad Siraj, a prominent fast bowler, was left out of India’s Champions Trophy 2025 squad. One of the key reasons cited was Indian captain Rohit Sharma’s claim that Siraj struggles to bowl effectively with the old ball. However, fate had a twist in store as Siraj managed to clean-bowl Rohit in the IPL 2025 encounter, reigniting debates over Rohit’s statement.
Social media has since been abuzz with arguments. Some fans believe that by dismissing Rohit, Siraj has responded to his critics in style. Others argue that Rohit’s struggles against the new ball have been exposed rather than Siraj proving his ability with the old ball.
The Moment: Siraj Dismisses Rohit Sharma in Style
Mumbai Indians were given a challenging target of 197 runs to chase. Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton opened the innings for MI. Mohammad Siraj, leading Gujarat Titans’ bowling attack, began the proceedings with the new ball. Rohit, often called the ‘Hitman’ for his explosive batting, started aggressively, smashing two consecutive fours on the second and third deliveries of Siraj’s over.
However, what followed stunned everyone. On the very next ball, Siraj outwitted Rohit with a sharp delivery, completely breaching his defense and rattling the stumps. The clean-bowled dismissal added fuel to the already brewing debate.
Notably, this wasn’t Rohit’s first failure in IPL 2025. He had already been dismissed for a duck against Chennai Super Kings in Mumbai Indians’ opening match of the tournament.
Social Media Reacts: Retribution or Coincidence?
The cricketing world took to social media with contrasting opinions. Some fans claimed Siraj had avenged Rohit Sharma’s remark about his old-ball bowling struggles. Others trolled Rohit for his inconsistency against quality pace attacks, stating that he is now struggling even against the new ball.
Several memes, debates, and discussions flooded platforms like Twitter and Instagram, with fans and analysts dissecting the moment. The controversy has also reignited discussions on India’s Champions Trophy 2025 squad selection and whether Siraj was unfairly dropped based on past performances.
Siraj’s Response to Rohit’s Comment
Before making his IPL 2025 debut for Gujarat Titans, Mohammad Siraj had already addressed Rohit’s statement during a press conference. When asked about the criticism regarding his old-ball bowling skills, Siraj confidently stated that he could be lethal with both the new and old ball.
His performance in the game against Mumbai Indians might have just strengthened his case. While it was a delivery with the new ball that dismissed Rohit, Siraj’s overall confidence and sharp bowling display proved he remains a potent weapon in any format.
Conclusion: A Rivalry to Watch?
With the IPL 2025 season still in its early stages, this incident has set the tone for an exciting rivalry between Rohit Sharma and Mohammad Siraj. Will Rohit have the last laugh in their next encounter, or will Siraj continue to prove his doubters wrong? One thing is certain—the debate is far from over, and cricket fans will be eagerly watching their next face-off.