Rohit Sharma’s tough start to IPL 2025 continued as the Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper failed to make a mark yet again in the high-stakes clash against Gujarat Titans (GT) in Ahmedabad on Saturday, March 29. The veteran opener, known for his impeccable timing and ability to dominate opposition bowlers, lasted only four deliveries before falling to a superb delivery from Mohammed Siraj. After managing to flick Siraj for a couple of boundaries, Rohit was completely bamboozled by a ball that seamed back sharply, sneaking through the narrow gap between his bat and pad before rattling the stumps. The MI captain stood in disbelief for a moment before making the long, disappointed walk back to the dressing room.
This early dismissal marked yet another failure for Rohit in IPL 2025, as he had also fallen cheaply in Mumbai’s season opener against arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings (CSK), where he was dismissed for a duck by Khaleel Ahmed. With just four balls faced across two games, his form has now become a major concern for Mumbai Indians, who rely heavily on their experienced players to provide strong starts at the top. As one of the most successful batters in IPL history, Rohit will now be under immense pressure to turn things around in the upcoming matches and regain his lost rhythm.
For Mohammed Siraj, however, this breakthrough wicket was deeply personal. The fast bowler has endured a rollercoaster ride over the past few months, dealing with both professional setbacks and moments of triumph. After being part of India’s T20 World Cup-winning squad in 2024, Siraj saw himself getting dropped from the Indian team after a mixed performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test series in Australia. To make matters worse, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), his franchise of several years, did not retain him ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction.
However, his talent and ability to generate pace and swing ensured he was still in demand, as Gujarat Titans went all out to acquire him for a massive ₹12.25 crore, making him one of the most expensive signings of the season. The pressure was high on Siraj to justify his price tag, and he wasted no time making an instant impact by dismissing his India captain, Rohit Sharma, in a fiery spell.
These words seemed to have lit a fire within Siraj, who responded in the best way possible—by knocking over Rohit's stumps and delivering a match-defining spell for Gujarat Titans. His celebration was intense and passionate, as he let out a loud roar and pumped his fists, clearly making a statement to the world that he was still among the best fast bowlers in the game.
Earlier in the match, Gujarat Titans had posted a competitive total of 196/8 in their 20 overs, thanks to a gritty 63-run knock from Sai Sudharsan and crucial contributions from Jos Buttler and Shubman Gill. At one stage, GT looked set to cross 200 runs, but a late collapse in the last two overs saw them lose five wickets in just 13 balls, restricting their final total. The Ahmedabad pitch played sluggishly, making shot-making tricky, but Gujarat’s batters still managed to put up a respectable score.
With Rohit struggling, Siraj making a statement, and the high-octane clashes of IPL 2025 delivering intense drama, the season is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling in recent years. As Mumbai Indians look to recover from back-to-back disappointments, all eyes will be on Rohit Sharma to see if he can overcome his poor form and lead his team to glory once again.
