Gujarat Titans produced a high-calibre outing in the field to help bowl out Kolkata Knight Riders for 180 in their IPL 2026 clash on Friday. The Titans held their nerve with the catch-and-throw work, taking nine catches and producing a run-out that swung the momentum firmly their way, while Mohammed Siraj stood out with both the new ball and sharp hands.
Siraj’s two-pronged impact and the words from the break
- Siraj finished with bowling figures of 2/23 and added two catches as well, becoming the standout contributor for Gujarat.
- During the mid-innings interval, he offered a light-hearted comment about the fielding, saying he was enjoying the catching and that he considered himself the best fielder.
- Beyond the highlights in the outfield, Siraj framed his performance as a return of rhythm with the ball after a period of inconsistency.
- He explained that limited match exposure earlier had disrupted his flow, recalling that during the World Cup he featured in only one match and thereafter had to rely on practice rather than live rhythm.
- Siraj added that in his last two matches his timing and rhythm returned, and that helped him settle into a better execution of his skills.
- He then described how he worked through the issue by revisiting his bowling footage, with particular attention on his run-up, concluding that something in that phase had been missing.
- On the mental side, Siraj stressed the importance of clarity, highlighting visualisation and saying that while emotions can creep in, he aims to stay focused on the process that has previously brought success.
Gujarat’s fielding set the tempo on a lively surface
With the pitch offering assistance, Siraj and Kagiso Rabada struck early in Ahmedabad, keeping their lengths and angles disciplined even when the batters managed the occasional boundary. Siraj described the wicket as a “good one” and said the primary job with the new ball was to bowl into the right areas. He also noted that conceding a few fours or sixes would be acceptable as long as Gujarat stayed faithful to their plan.
Kolkata never quite found a full recovery after the early blows, even though Cameron Green played a determined innings of 79. The Australian all-rounder battled in isolation at times, building crucial partnerships in an attempt to keep the chase on track. Still, the pressure from Gujarat—particularly through their fielding—proved too consistent to withstand for long.
Siraj also pointed to the broader team culture in IPL 2026 as a key factor behind the collective effort. He said that ups and downs are part of the game, but that the side continually supports one another, creating positive energy throughout a long campaign.
