Virat Kohli with Mohammed Siraj in the IPL 2025
One such admirer is Mohammed Siraj, who has often expressed how much he looks up to Kohli. In a heartwarming incident, Siraj recalled the moment when Virat Kohli made a surprise visit to his home. It wasn’t just a gesture from a teammate, but a memory that stayed with Siraj forever. Let’s uncover the complete story behind that touching moment.
The IPL is like a golden ticket for young cricketers to show off their skills and take their game up a notch. Mohammed Siraj was one of those guys who got his shot in 2017 with Sunrisers Hyderabad. He jumped at it, bringing his raw pace and all-out heart to the field. Even though he had some good days, the Sunrisers let him go. Then, in 2018, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) came calling, and that was a game-changer. For Siraj, it wasn’t just about playing for RCB—it was about getting to hang out with his idol, Virat Kohli, in the same dressing room.
Siraj is always quick to say how much Kohli inspires him, not just as a player but as a person. Over time, they formed a real connection, with Kohli’s advice helping Siraj find his way. During a super touching episode of Breakfast with Champions, Siraj told a story that had everyone smiling ear to ear—how Kohli totally shocked him with a surprise.
After buying a new house in Hyderabad, Siraj was pumped and decided to throw a dinner for his RCB teammates. Feeling a bit nervous but super excited, he called Kohli to invite him personally. With Kohli being such a big deal, Siraj wasn’t even sure he’d show, but he gave it a shot. Kohli said he was resting a sore back and might not make it. Siraj understood but couldn’t resist calling again to check. He said:
I asked Virat Bhaiya that ”I’m hosting a dinner at my house. Will you come?” As soon as I opened the door, Virat Bhai was right there. I ran and hugged him. That was like the biggest surprise of my life. The best gift that I got.
That evening, when the doorbell rang, Siraj opened it and — boom — Virat Kohli was standing right there. Siraj’s jaw dropped, and he ran to hug him, completely over the moon. On the show, he got all emotional, saying it was the best gift he’d ever gotten. Word of Kohli’s visit to Siraj’s place in Toli Chowki, Hyderabad, spread like crazy. The whole neighbourhood was buzzing, with people whispering, “Virat Kohli’s in Toli Chowki!” It was like the whole area lit up.
Siraj also couldn’t stop talking about Kohli’s insane discipline. Whether he smashes a hundred or gets out for nothing, Kohli’s routine is rock-solid. Siraj shared:
Post matches, maximum by 11 pm, (he’s) is off to bed. Whether he scores a hundred or zero, his routine is fixed. The next day, you’ll see him in the gym. He’ll have his breakfast and lunch on time. The level of discipline and example he has set is just next level. Despite having achieved so many centuries at this level, he is still hungry and wants to get better.
This isn’t just a cool story about a surprise visit — it’s about the bond between two guys from totally different worlds, brought together by cricket and respect. For Siraj, a kid from humble roots, having Kohli show up at his house was like a dream he didn’t even know he could have. It’s proof that the IPL is more than just a game — it’s where heroes like Kohli lift young players like Siraj to chase their dreams with everything they’ve got.
When Mohammed Siraj joined Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2018, it was a dream come true for the Hyderabad lad. Pulling on the RCB jersey was huge, but getting to hang out with his idol, Virat Kohli, made it even sweeter. The IPL gave Siraj the perfect stage to let his raw pace and never-give-up attitude shine. Over time, he’s become a key part of RCB’s bowling lineup, delivering moments that had fans cheering, even if he’s had to grind through some tough spells to find his flow.
| Season | Matches | Innings | Balls | Runs Conceded | Wickets | Best Bowling (Innings) | Average | Economy | Strike Rate | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL 2024 | 14 | 14 | 324 | 496 | 15 | 3 for 43 | 33.06 | 9.18 | 21.6 | 0 | 0 |
| IPL 2023 | 14 | 14 | 300 | 375 | 19 | 4 for 21 | 19.73 | 7.50 | 15.7 | 1 | 0 |
| IPL 2022 | 15 | 15 | 306 | 514 | 9 | 2 for 30 | 57.11 | 10.07 | 34.0 | 0 | 0 |
| IPL 2021 | 15 | 15 | 312 | 353 | 11 | 3 for 27 | 32.09 | 6.78 | 28.3 | 0 | 0 |
| IPL 2020 | 9 | 9 | 163 | 236 | 11 | 3 for 8 | 21.45 | 8.68 | 14.8 | 0 | 0 |
| IPL 2019 | 9 | 9 | 169 | 269 | 7 | 2 for 38 | 38.42 | 9.55 | 24.1 | 0 | 0 |
| IPL 2018 | 11 | 11 | 246 | 367 | 11 | 3 for 25 | 33.36 | 8.95 | 22.3 | 0 | 0 |
His first season with RCB saw him play 11 games, sending down 41 overs and picking up 11 wickets. His best was a fiery 3 for 25, showing he could rattle any batter. But runs came a bit too easily, with an economy of 8.95, an average of 33.36, and a strike rate of 22.3. For a guy just stepping into the IPL’s high-stakes world, it was a solid start, even if it wasn’t perfect.
In 2019, things got tricky. Siraj played 9 matches, bowling just over 28 overs and taking 7 wickets. His best effort was 2 for 38, but he was expensive at 9.55 runs per over, with an average of 38.42 and a strike rate of 24.1. Wickets didn’t come as often as he’d hoped, and it was a real slog, but still, Siraj’s fighting spirit kept him pushing forward.
The 2020 season was when Siraj started turning heads. In 9 matches, he bowled 27 overs and grabbed 11 wickets, including a stunning 3 for 8—his best-ever in the IPL. His average was a sharp 21.45, and his strike rate of 14.8 showed he was getting batters out fast, and his economy was 8.68, a bit high, but he was starting to look like a serious threat.
By 2021, Siraj was on fire, playing all 15 RCB matches and bowling 52 overs. He took 11 wickets, with a best of 3 for 27, and kept things tight with a fantastic 6.78 economy—his best yet and his average was 32.09, and his strike rate was 28.3, proving he was bowling with brains and making a big difference.
The 2022 season was a struggle. Siraj played 15 matches, bowled 51 overs, but only managed 9 wickets, with a best of 2 for 30. His economy jumped to 10.07, and his average hit a rough 57.11, with a strike rate of 34.0, and Runs were leaking, and it was a tough time for the pacer.
But in 2023, Siraj bounced back with a bang. Playing 14 matches and bowling 50 overs, he took 19 wickets, including a red-hot 4 for 21. His average of 19.73 and a strike rate of 15.7 were awesome, and his 7.50 economy showed he’d found his groove. He was RCB’s go-to bowler, delivering when it counted.
In 2024, Siraj kept it steady, playing 14 matches and bowling 54 overs for 15 wickets. His best was 3 for 43, with an average of 33.06, an economy of 9.18, and a strike rate of 21.6. He stayed a wicket-taking force, even if runs flowed a bit more.
Siraj’s RCB journey is all about heart and hard work, going from a raw talent to a leader with 83 wickets in 87 matches. In a big twist, IPL 2025 saw him move to the Gujarat Titans for a massive INR 12.25 crore, and it was a new adventure.