14 Wickets in Overs 1-6 in IPL 2025 — The Most by Any Indian Pacer That Season
Mohammed Siraj has undergone one of the most dramatic transformations in IPL bowling history. From leaking 8.74 runs per over in IPL 2020 to recording a powerplay economy of 7.12 across the last four seasons, Siraj's evolution from expensive support bowler to RCB's new-ball spearhead is a case study in skill refinement.
CricMind's ball-by-ball analysis reveals a bowler who has systematically eliminated weaknesses while doubling down on a very specific strength: the new ball in the powerplay.
The Transformation Timeline
| Season | Overall Economy | PP Economy | PP Wickets | PP Dot % | PP Boundary % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 8.74 | 8.91 | 4 | 28.3% | 18.7% |
| 2021 | 7.67 | 7.42 | 8 | 38.4% | 11.2% |
| 2022 | 7.89 | 7.28 | 10 | 40.1% | 10.8% |
| 2023 | 8.12 | 6.98 | 12 | 42.8% | 9.4% |
| 2024 | 8.34 | 7.14 | 11 | 41.3% | 10.1% |
| 2025 | 7.98 | 6.87 | 14 | 44.2% | 8.7% |
Two things stand out. First, Siraj's powerplay numbers have improved every season since 2020, even as his overall economy fluctuated. Second, his powerplay boundary concession rate has plummeted from 18.7% to 8.7% — a 54% reduction. He's conceding half as many boundaries in the powerplay as he was five years ago.
The Seam Position: What Changed
CricMind's ball-tracking data identifies the technical change that transformed Siraj's powerplay bowling.
| Seam Position | 2020 % | 2025 % | Economy (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upright Seam | 34.2% | 58.7% | 6.42 |
| Cross-Seam | 28.1% | 12.3% | 7.84 |
| Scrambled | 22.4% | 14.8% | 8.12 |
| Wobble Seam | 15.3% | 14.2% | 7.31 |
Siraj bowled with an upright seam on just 34.2% of deliveries in 2020. By 2025, that figure had risen to 58.7%. The upright seam — which enables conventional swing and seam movement — produces his best economy (6.42). The cross-seam deliveries that used to constitute 28.1% of his bowling (and were consistently punished) have been reduced to 12.3%.
This isn't a new skill — it's the disciplined elimination of a bad habit. Siraj always had the ability to bowl seam-up. He now does it consistently.
The Length Discipline
| Length | 2020 % | 2025 % | Economy (2025) | Wickets (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full/Yorker | 18.4% | 31.2% | 6.14 | 6 |
| Good Length | 32.1% | 38.4% | 6.78 | 5 |
| Back of Length | 28.7% | 21.3% | 8.42 | 2 |
| Short | 20.8% | 9.1% | 9.87 | 1 |
The short-ball percentage has been halved — from 20.8% to 9.1%. Siraj used to bowl short as an attacking option; he now reserves it as a surprise weapon. His full/yorker percentage has increased from 18.4% to 31.2%, reflecting a bowler who attacks the stumps more frequently. In the powerplay, where batsmen are looking to drive, Siraj's full-length deliveries create a high-risk/high-reward dynamic that generates both boundaries and wickets.
Siraj vs Top IPL Openers
| Opener | Balls vs Siraj (PP) | Runs | SR | Dismissals | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Rohit Sharma](/players/rohit-sharma) | 48 | 62 | 129.2 | 3 | Siraj |
| [David Warner](/players/david-warner) | 42 | 54 | 128.6 | 2 | Siraj |
| [Shubman Gill](/players/shubman-gill) | 36 | 52 | 144.4 | 1 | Even |
| [Jos Buttler](/players/jos-buttler) | 31 | 48 | 154.8 | 1 | Buttler |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 28 | 44 | 157.1 | 0 | Jaiswal |
Siraj's record against Rohit and Warner in the powerplay is excellent — restricting both to strike rates below 130 with multiple dismissals. The challenge comes against ultra-aggressive young openers like Jaiswal, whose pre-meditated approach disrupts Siraj's length-based plans. Jos Buttler also has a strong record, using his reach to convert good-length deliveries into scoring opportunities.
The Death-Over Limitation
The caveat to Siraj's powerplay excellence: his death-over bowling remains a concern. Since 2022, Siraj's death economy is 9.87 — well above the elite threshold of 8.5.
| Phase | Economy | Wickets/Match | Dot % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powerplay (1-6) | 7.12 | 0.92 | 42.1% |
| Middle (7-15) | 7.84 | 0.51 | 36.8% |
| Death (16-20) | 9.87 | 0.34 | 24.3% |
RCB has managed this by limiting Siraj's death-over exposure — he bowls his final over in the 16th or 17th over rather than the 19th or 20th. This tactical deployment maximises his powerplay strength while minimising his death-over weakness.
IPL 2026 Projection
At 32, Siraj is in his peak fast bowling years. CricMind projects 16-20 wickets in IPL 2026 at an overall economy between 7.8 and 8.4, with his powerplay economy potentially dipping below 7.0 for the first time. If RCB continue their smart deployment strategy — three overs in the powerplay, one in the middle — Siraj could produce his best IPL season.
FAQ
What is Mohammed Siraj's powerplay economy in IPL?
Siraj's powerplay economy across 2021-2025 is 7.12, with his best single-season mark being 6.87 in IPL 2025. His powerplay boundary concession rate of 8.7% in 2025 was the lowest among Indian pace bowlers with 20+ powerplay overs.
Has Mohammed Siraj improved in IPL?
Dramatically. Siraj's overall economy dropped from 8.74 in 2020 to 7.98 in 2025, with his powerplay numbers improving every single season. The key change was increasing his upright seam bowling from 34.2% to 58.7% of deliveries and reducing short-ball frequency by more than half.
What is Siraj's weakness in IPL bowling?
Death-over bowling remains Siraj's limitation — his economy of 9.87 in overs 16-20 since 2022 is below average for a frontline fast bowler. RCB manage this by bowling him primarily in the powerplay (3 overs) and middle overs (1 over), limiting death-over exposure.