Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise made some surprising as well as shocking decisions during the two-day Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction, held in Jeddah on November 24 and 25. While the side after releasing majority of their squad members from IPL 2024, denied to retain the likes of Glenn Maxwell and Mohammed Siraj.
The franchise also denied to use their Right To Match (RTM) card on the auction table for their marquee players, leading to the Gujarat Titans (GT) securing the services of the Indian pacer, Md Siraj. The 30-year-old who was roped in by GT for INR 12.25 Crore, took to social media to bid farewell to his previous franchise, adding that “RCB will always have a piece of my heart.”
Siraj bids emotional goodbye to RCB ahead of IPL 2025
The Hyderabad-born player with this move ended his seven-year stint with the franchise in the cash-rich league. “To my dear RCB, Saat saal RCB ke saat mere dil ke bahut kareeb hai. As I take look back on my time in an RCB shirt my heart is full of gratitude, love and emotion. The day I first wore the RCB jersey, I never imagined the bond we would form. From the first ball I bowled in RCB colours, to every wicket taken, every match played, every moment shared with you, the journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. There have been ups and downs, but through it all, one thing has been constant: your unwavering support. RCB is more than just a franchis; it’s a feeling, a heartbeat, a family that feels like home,” Siraj’s message began.
However, in his post he not only credited the franchise, but also extended his gratitude towards RCB fans. He also expressed that it isn’t a goodbye forever, but added that they will have his heart forever.“Though I now step into a new chapter of my career, RCB will always have a piece of my heart. This isn’t goodbye - this is a thank you. Thank you for believing in me for embracing me and for making me feel like a part of something much bigger than just cricket,” he concluded.
It is to be noted that Siraj started his IPL career with SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in 2017 and later went up to make his India debut under the captaincy of Virat Kohli in the same year. RCB later signed Siraj in the IPL 2018 mega auction. He played 87 matches in RCB colours, scalping 93 wickets.
