Gujarat Titans pacer Mohammed Siraj delivered one of the standout moments of IPL 2026 after bowling the fastest delivery of the season during GT’s convincing win over Chennai Super Kings. The right-arm fast bowler clocked an impressive 154.8 km/h against Matthew Short, breaking the previous speed record set earlier in the tournament.
The fiery delivery came in the fourth over of Chennai’s innings and immediately grabbed attention across the cricketing world. More importantly for Gujarat Titans, Siraj’s spell played a major role in dismantling CSK’s batting lineup during the crucial powerplay phase.
Siraj’s Fiery Opening Spell Puts CSK Under Pressure
Bowling on a surface considered ideal for batting, Mohammed Siraj relied on raw pace, movement, and disciplined lines to trouble Chennai’s top order from the very beginning. His aggressive approach paid off quickly as he removed key batters inside the first six overs.
Siraj dismissed Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Urvil Patel to leave Chennai struggling at 58 for 4. His final figures of 3 for 26 highlighted just how effective he was with the new ball.
While the 154.8 km/h delivery became the talking point, Siraj’s overall control and ability to consistently hit challenging lengths made the biggest difference. Gujarat Titans maintained pressure throughout the innings and never allowed CSK to recover fully.
Mohammed Siraj Becoming GT’s Biggest Weapon in Powerplay
One of the major reasons behind Gujarat Titans’ strong IPL 2026 campaign has been their dominance in the powerplay overs, and Mohammed Siraj has been central to that success.
GT currently boast the best powerplay bowling numbers in the tournament, claiming 30 wickets during the first six overs at an impressive average. Siraj has contributed heavily alongside South African speedster Kagiso Rabada, forming one of the most dangerous pace combinations this season.
Captain Shubman Gill has often used Siraj almost exclusively in the powerplay, trusting his ability to create breakthroughs early in the innings. That strategy has worked consistently, especially in high-pressure matches.
Speaking after the game, Siraj explained that his primary focus has been building pressure through disciplined bowling rather than chasing wickets every ball.
“I try to build pressure from my end in the powerplay and stay consistent with my areas. If I build pressure, Rabada will take wickets from the other end.”
That partnership between Siraj and Rabada has become one of Gujarat Titans’ biggest strengths heading into the playoff stage.
Technical Improvements Behind Siraj’s Strong Season
Mohammed Siraj also credited his improved performances to the work he put in before and during the season. According to the fast bowler, he spent considerable time refining his rhythm, yorkers, and adapting to different match situations following the T20 World Cup period.
Although his season began quietly, Siraj gradually found rhythm and confidence with the new ball. His ability to combine pace with accuracy has made him significantly more dangerous compared to previous IPL seasons.
The latest performance against Chennai once again showed how much control he now has over his bowling. Even while operating at speeds above 150 km/h, Siraj maintained disciplined lines and avoided giving away easy scoring opportunities.
Also read: Kagiso Rabada Breaks IPL Powerplay Record During Gujarat Titans’ Qualifier Clash Against RCB
IPL 2026 Fastest Ball Record Changes Again
Before Mohammed Siraj’s thunderbolt delivery, the fastest ball of IPL 2026 belonged to Ashok Sharma, who had bowled at 154.2 km/h earlier in the tournament. Rabada’s 153.6 km/h delivery also featured among the quickest this season.
Despite Siraj’s new benchmark, the overall IPL speed record still belongs to former Australian pacer Shaun Tait, who famously clocked 157.71 km/h during the 2011 season. Other renowned fast bowlers like Lockie Ferguson, Umran Malik, and Mayank Yadav have also regularly crossed the 150 km/h mark in IPL history.
Still, Mohammed Siraj’s latest spell has strengthened his reputation as one of the most dangerous fast bowlers in T20 cricket today. With Gujarat Titans building momentum at the right stage of the season, his form could prove decisive in their push for the IPL 2026 title.
