‘He has always had the skill’ – Virat Kohli ‘not surprised’ with Mohammed Siraj’s growth as a bowler

Mohammad Siraj’s meteoric rise as a fast bowler was the highlight of the first two Test matches between England and India. In the second Test match at the Lord’s, the right-arm pacer was simply outstanding, picking up eight wickets and enabling an epic win for India.

His stupendous rise in the red-ball format has taken many onlookers by surprise. However, Indian skipper Virat Kohli believes that Siraj’s success in Test cricket in such a short span of time is due to his confidence.

So far, Siraj has taken 11 wickets in two Tests and has easily gelled with the other three fast bowlers Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Shami. Kohli has turned to Siraj for wickets plenty of times, and he has not let his captain down.

Addressing a pre-match virtual presser before the third Test at Headingley, Kohli said that the 2020-21 series against Australia Down Under helped Siraj gain the confidence of performing well against other top teams.

“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.

Kohli further opined that Siraj’s self-belief of taking wickets at any stage has made him a dangerous bowler. “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.

Mohammed Siraj’s confidence makes him flamboyant: Virat Kohli

With his ability to move the ball both ways and with a good speed, Siraj has brought balance to the Indian pace attack. Also, his immaculate control over the line and lengths has given headaches to the opposition batters. Kohli concluded by saying that the pacer’s confidence makes him flamboyant.

“I am really happy to see him coming into his own, he is going to be this kind of bowler, who is in your face and who is looking to get guys out and who is not scared, he is not going to take a backward step,” Kohli said.