A widely circulated quote on social media claims that Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj expressed disappointment towards Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for not retaining him during the 2025 IPL Auction held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The quote suggests that Siraj was emotional after the auction and features a statement allegedly made by former RCB captain Virat Kohli consoling him.
The purported quote reads: “I literally cried while watching the auction. The team I gave all my loyalty to didn’t even place a bid for me. Then Kohli Bhaiya hugged me and said, ‘Koi na, tu hamesha mera bhai jaisa hi rahega. All the best’.”
The above post can be seen here (archive). More such posts can be seen here, here and here.
FACT CHECK
NewsMobile fact-checked the viral post, and found it to be Misleading.
A Google search with relevant keywords finds no credible reports attributing the statement to Mohammed Siraj. However, the NM team identified a heartfelt note penned by Siraj in a report, expressing his gratitude to RCB. (These reports can be seen here, here, and here)
After the auction, Siraj put a heartfelt note on his official Instagram handle on November 26, 2024.
View this post on Instagram
In the note thanking RCB, he wrote:
“To my dear RCB,
Saat saal RCB ke saat mere dil ke bahut kareeb hai. As I look back on my time in an RCB shirt my heart is full of gratitude, love and emotion.
The day I first wore the RCB jersey, I never imagined the bond we would form. From the first ball I bowled in RCB colours, to every wicket taken, every match played, every moment shared with you, the journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. There have been ups and downs, but through it all, one thing has been constant: your unwavering support. RCB is more than just a franchise; it’s a feeling, a heartbeat, a family that feels like home.
There were nights when the losses hurt deeper than words can explain, but it was your voices in the stands, your messages on social media, your constant belief that kept me going. You, the fans of RCB, are the soul of this team. The energy you bring, the love you give, the faith you show, it’s unmatched. Every time I stepped onto that field, I felt the weight of your dreams and hopes, and I gave it my all because I knew you were right there behind me, pushing me to be better.
I have seen your tears when we’ve fallen short, and I’ve witnessed your celebrations when we’ve risen to the occasion. And let me tell you, there’s no fanbase in the world like you. Your love, your dedication, your loyalty—it’s something I will cherish for the rest of my life.
Though I now step into a new chapter of my career, RCB will always have a piece of my heart. This isn’t goodbye—this is a thank you. Thank you for believing in me, for embracing me, and for making me feel like a part of something much bigger than just cricket❤️”
In the 2025 Mega Auction, Mohammed Siraj was picked by the Gujarat Titans for ₹12.25 crore.
Therefore, the viral quote attributed to Mohammed Siraj, suggesting disappointment with RCB, is fabricated.
