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Mohammed Siraj vs Virat Kohli: Numbers, history and the battle that could decide the IPL 2026 Final

Sidharth Menon
· 4 min read
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The Ultimate Showdown in Ahmedabad

As the cricket world turns its eyes toward the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad this Sunday, May 31, the atmosphere is electric. Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are set to clash with the 2022 champions, the Gujarat Titans (GT). While team dynamics are the primary talking point, individual subplots often define the trajectory of a final. Chief among these is the intriguing confrontation involving former RCB teammates: Virat Kohli and Mohammed Siraj.

A Bond Turned Rivalry

For seven productive seasons, Mohammed Siraj was the heart of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru pace attack. His transition to the Gujarat Titans in 2025 shifted the landscape of this rivalry. Now, these two stalwarts find themselves on opposite sides of the divide, with their individual performances proving instrumental to their respective teams’ journey to the final. Kohli, the talismanic run-scorer for RCB, continues to lead the charge, while Siraj has blossomed into a formidable force within the Titans’ pace battery, which includes the likes of Kagiso Rabada and Jason Holder.

Virat Kohli: The Titans’ Nemesis

Virat Kohli’s record against the Gujarat Titans is nothing short of extraordinary. Across 9 matches, he has amassed 503 runs at a staggering average of 72 and a strike rate of 154. His record against the franchise is highlighted by four fifties and a century, making him the highest run-scorer against GT in the history of the tournament. The Titans remain acutely aware of his prowess, especially after his sensational 81-run knock earlier this season at Bengaluru, which saw him chase down a daunting target of 206.

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Kohli’s ability to dominate even the most disciplined bowling attacks is well-documented. During his recent outings in Ahmedabad, he demonstrated his class by dismantling the opposition’s bowling, including a memorable over against Kagiso Rabada where he struck five boundaries. His ability to perform on the big stage was further validated by his crucial 43-run contribution in the first Qualifier held in Dharamsala.

Mohammed Siraj: The Analytical Edge

Mohammed Siraj’s journey since leaving RCB has been marked by moments of brilliance. In his first encounter against his former franchise in 2025, he proved his worth at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, claiming figures of 3/19 and dismissing key players such as Devdutt Padikkal, Phil Salt, and Liam Livingstone. Such performances earned him the Player of the Match title, establishing his status as a key asset for GT.

However, the 2026 season has presented different challenges. While Siraj has been a pivotal part of the GT setup, the Royal Challengers have managed to keep him relatively quiet in their head-to-head encounters. With only two wickets taken in three matches against RCB this year, and a challenging outing in the first Qualifier where he conceded 46 runs in three overs, Siraj will be looking to redeem himself on the grandest stage of them all.

The Tactical Battle

The numbers reveal a curious trend in the matchup between these two icons. While Virat Kohli has faced difficulties against Jason Holder and Kagiso Rabada this season, he has largely held his ground against his former teammate. The statistics show that Kohli has scored 26 runs off 16 balls against Siraj without ever losing his wicket, maintaining a strike rate of 162.5.

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Despite the high number of matches played against each other, the two have seldom faced off for extended periods. This scarcity of direct combat adds a layer of tactical intrigue to the final. Will the Gujarat Titans use Siraj as an enforcer to target Kohli early, or will the former RCB skipper continue to dominate the matchups against his old friend? The answer to this, and many other questions, will undoubtedly shape the outcome of the IPL 2026 final.

Conclusion

As fans prepare for the climax of the 2026 IPL season, the focus remains on the individual battles that characterize the sport. With the history between these players, the tactical nuances of the game, and the weight of a championship title, the encounter between Virat Kohli and Mohammed Siraj is more than just a contest; it is a testament to the growth, rivalry, and enduring spirit of modern T20 cricket. All eyes will be on the pitch this Sunday to see who emerges victorious in this compelling chapter of IPL history.

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Sidharth Menon

Sidharth Menon is a senior cricket correspondent for The New Indian Express, known for his lyrical long‑form features and his intimate knowledge of Kerala’s cricketing culture. A University of Kerala graduate who fell in love with the game on the backwaters’ makeshift grounds, he cut his teeth covering Ranji Trophy matches at the Thumba and Wayanad cricket academies before stepping onto the national beat. Sidharth specialises in the art of wrist‑spin, dedicating much of his writing to the mechanics, psychology, and beauty of leg‑break and googly bowling. He has covered multiple IPL seasons with a sharp eye on emerging talent from South India, and his player profiles regularly appear in the Express’s weekend supplements. A recipient of the K. C. Mammen Mappillai Award, Sidharth brings a literary sensibility to cricket journalism, believing that a well‑told sports story can illuminate much more than a scoreboard.

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