Mohammed Siraj has never been one to back down from a challenge. Dropped from India's Champions Trophy-winning squad, the fiery pacer could have faded into the shadows. Instead, he chose to rise. With grit in his heart and a point to prove, Siraj has stormed into IPL 2025 like a man on a mission—unleashing searing spells, silencing critics, and reminding the cricketing world exactly why he belongs on the big stage.

On Sunday, in a performance that silenced all doubters, Siraj tormented his hometown team, Sunrisers Hyderabad, with a fiery spell of 4 for 17. His lethal opening burst and precise death bowling helped restrict Hyderabad to a modest 152-8. Riding on their strike bowler's brilliance, Gujarat Titans chased down the target with ease—led by Shubman Gill's unbeaten 61—sealing their third win in four games.

This wasn't a one-off performance. Just days earlier, Siraj ripped through Royal Challengers Bengaluru, his former franchise, with a spell of 3 for 19. With nine wickets in four matches, he now stands as the joint second-highest wicket-taker of the season, boasting an economy of 7.75 and a strike rate of just 10.66. Siraj isn't just back—he's dominating.

But the road here wasn't easy.

"At the start [of the break], I could not digest it," Siraj admitted after being named Player of the Match on Sunday. "But then I explained to myself that I have so many things planned. It was not to be, but I concentrated on my mindset, my fitness. I'm enjoying my bowling now."

And it shows. Whether swinging it up front or tailing it in at the death, Siraj is in control. The reinstatement of saliva use in the IPL has also played to his strengths, helping him extract late movement and target the stumps more effectively. His dismissal of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma early on, and his surgical strikes against Aniket Verma and Simarjeet Singh in the death overs, showcased the full range of his skills.

Captain Shubman Gill lauded Siraj's impact: "The energy he brings is tremendous. When playing against him, you want him in your team. His energy is infectious."

Released by Bengaluru after last season and snapped up by Gujarat for $1.4 million, Siraj has found a fresh start and a renewed sense of purpose. And he's making every delivery count.

"I was working a lot on my bowling, my fitness, and my mentality," he said. "The body is fresh, so I am really enjoying my bowling. The ball is coming out of my hand much better."

For a bowler who thrives on rhythm and confidence, this IPL is shaping up to be a season of redemption. Siraj's fire was never out—it just needed a spark. And now that he's blazing, the league better watch out.