Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) director of cricket, Mo Bobat, opened up on one of the most debated decisions from last year’s Indian Premier League (IPL). Fast-bowler Mohammed Siraj, who had been with RCB for seven consecutive seasons, was let go ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction.
Siraj’s release had surprised many, given his long association with the franchise. He had played 102 matches for RCB, in which he collected 99 wickets. But the 2025 auction was about rebuilding and RCB’s management wanted to create a fresh bowling group.
The plan worked. RCB brought in Josh Hazlewood for INR 12.50 crore and Bhuvneshwar Kumar for INR 10.75 crore, while Yash Dayal continued his rise. Hazlewood topped the wicket charts with 22 scalps and earned the Purple Cap. Bhuvneshwar took 17 wickets. All of these pacers played an important role in RCB’s first IPL title triumph in 18 years.
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"Not a Straightforward Call" - Mo Bobat on Mohammed Siraj’s Exit From RCB
Bobat explained that Mohammed Siraj’s case was discussed more than any other player. The management wanted to bring in Bhuvneshwar to strengthen both ends of the innings but that would have been tricky if Siraj had stayed. After several rounds of internal discussions, the franchise eventually decided to release him.
"Siraj is probably the player that we spent the longest deliberating over. Indian international bowlers are not that easy to get. We discussed every eventuality with Siraj, whether to retain him, release him, or use the Right to Match. It was not a straightforward call," Bobat said as quoted to Cricbuzz.
"We were keen to try and get Bhuvi for two ends of the innings. Keeping Siraj would have made that difficult. There is never just one reason; several factors come into play," he added.
After RCB released Siraj, he was picked by Gujarat Titans for INR 12.25 crore. He enjoyed a decent season and bagged 16 wickets in 15 games.
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Why RCB Released Cameron Green?
Another big talking point from RCB’s auction strategy was the release of Australian all-rounder Cameron Green. The franchise had invested heavily in him during the previous season, where he scored 255 runs and picked up 10 wickets.
Bobat explained that Green’s fitness was the deciding factor in not retaining him.
"Had he been fit, we would almost certainly have retained him," Bobat stated.
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