Mohammed Siraj’s meteoric rise is hardly a surprise for India skipper Virat Kohli who says the pacer’s confidence has now risen to a level where he believes that he can get any batsman out at any point of the game.
The youngest in a lethal quartet also comprising Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah and Ishant Sharma, the 27-year-old Hyderabad pacer has taken 11 wickets in the first two Tests of the series against England.
His impeccable line and length and control has troubled the home batsmen consistently. Eight of his 11 wickets came at the Lord’s Test that India won by 151 runs.
Kohli said the tour of Australia took his confidence to another level. “I was not surprised at all (with his growth) because I have seen him from close quarters. He is a guy who has always had the skill. You need the confidence to back that skill, the Australia series provided him with that boost and confidence,” Kohli said on the eve of the third Test.
“He is walking around knowing he can get anyone out at any stage and the belief in his game has been elevated to another level, hence you see results of what he is doing,” the skipper added.
Kohli was also full of praise for his openers — Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul — and expected them to continue their good form. “The opening combination, when you are playing overseas, is one of the most important factors. So, the way KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma have played, has been outstanding and we hope that they continue in the same manner.
“To set out the right platform from where the team can build on and that is what they provided us in both the Tests so that is definitely a big boost for us,” a pleased captain said.