In a clash that had fans buzzing even before the first ball was bowled, Mohammed Siraj returned to face his former IPL team, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, with a point to prove — and what a return it turned out to be.
Donning the Gujarat Titans (GT) jersey, the fiery right-arm pacer produced a thunderous spell, sending Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head packing early, igniting cheers from GT supporters and unleashing a social media storm.

What caught the eye beyond the wickets, however, was the consistent mention of "DSP Siraj" across Twitter, trending even before the powerplay ended. But why exactly do fans call him DSP Siraj?
The nickname isn't just a playful meme. It's a badge of honour. On 11th October 2024, the Telangana government conferred Mohammed Siraj with the honorary post of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) - a rare gesture in Indian sports. The honour came in recognition of Siraj's exceptional service to Indian cricket, notably his exploits in red-ball cricket and match-winning spells on foreign soil.
Ordinarily, to be appointed as a DSP, one needs to hold a degree from a recognised university. But in Siraj's case, despite being only a 12th pass, an exemption was made. Telangana chose to celebrate his unwavering dedication and performances, making him a symbol of pride for the state.
The 2025 IPL mega auction saw several surprise moves, and Mohammed Siraj's transfer to Gujarat Titans was one of the biggest talking points. Snapped up for a whopping ₹12.25 crore, Siraj brought not just pace and swing, but also intensity and experience to a Titans bowling attack that already features Kagiso Rabada, Prasidh Krishna and Ishant Sharma.
The match against RCB served as a platform for Siraj to announce himself in GT colours. With early wickets breaking RCB's backbone, fans immediately went into a frenzy, drawing comparisons to an action film police officer executing an early sting operation.
It didn't take long for Siraj's on-field brilliance to be mirrored in witty and heartfelt fan reactions online. The DSP moniker returned in full force, with social media becoming a flood of police-themed quips and posts. Here are some of the most viral reactions:
"DSP Siraj returning to Dressing room after arresting SRH batters, Kavya Maran is not happy"
This cheeky comment paired with a meme of Kavya Maran, SRH's co-owner, drew laughs, suggesting Siraj had singlehandedly arrested the Sunrisers' top order.
"DSP Siraj arrested 2 monsters today and turned T20 into a full tuk tuk crime show"
This tweet drew a hilarious analogy between his disciplined bowling and a slow-burn police drama, complete with crime show pacing.3
"DSP Siraj arresting Travis Head. #SRHvsGT"
Short, sharp and punchy - this post captured the essence of Siraj's precise dismissal of one of the most dangerous batters this season.
"Wardaat ke baad action lete hue apne DSP Siraj"
Borrowing from the vocabulary of Indian crime television, this tweet placed Siraj as the heroic figure restoring order post-'wardaat' (the crime).
"DSP Siraj ne aaj Kavya Maran ke saath saath SRH ko bhi rula diya , Klassen , Travis Head, Ishan kishan ,Abhishek Sharma sab dher ho gye aj"
This longer post turned emotional, praising Siraj's all-round demolition job against SRH while bringing in some humour and sentimentality around team owner Kavya Maran's on-camera reactions.3
Siraj's journey from the narrow lanes of Hyderabad to the international cricketing stage has been nothing short of inspirational. From delivering food on his father's bike to delivering match-turning spells for India, he's carved a niche as one of the most passionate and hardworking bowlers of his generation.
Being called DSP isn't just a meme-it's a testament to his journey, resilience, and recognition from the state he calls home. Every time fans use the nickname, it echoes the pride Hyderabadis and cricket fans across India feel for him.
With performances like today, Mohammed Siraj has not just reignited his IPL career but also possibly nudged the Indian selectors once more, especially with the ICC Champions Trophy and other major tournaments on the horizon.
For Gujarat Titans, Siraj’s form could be the catalyst that propels them back into title contention. His early breakthroughs can swing games, especially when paired with the firepower of Rabada and experience of Ishant.
As the tournament progresses, fans will be watching DSP Siraj with eagle eyes, expecting wickets, heat, and maybe a few more on-field “arrests”. One thing's for sure — the badge might be honorary, but the impact he’s making with the ball is as real as it gets.
Follow RCB vs GT live for every thrilling moment, from game-changing sixes to DSP-style dismissals — this IPL, the action is criminally good.