Former South African seamer Vernon Philander has acknowledged India's ability to produce world-class fast bowlers in the recent past, highlighting that Virat Kohli's captaincy has played a big part in it.

Philander showered rich praise on Jasprit Bumrah's success in Test cricket after the Indian pace spearhead climbed to the top of the Test bowling rankings for the first time in his career.

Bumrah achieved this feat on the back of his nine-wicket haul in the second Test match against England in Vizag. Thanks to his heroics, India registered a series-equalling 106-run victory.

Philander pointed out that with the emergence of a strong pace unit, India have become a competitive team overseas while maintaining their dominance at home.

"Every time India comes here (South Africa), they seem to be performing better than the previous tour. In the subcontinent, Indian spinners have been winning the games but It's just good to see the Indian team winning in Australia," Philander told PTI.

"That's a very positive sign for India to produce those sort of bowlers... It is also on the back of great leadership. Virat Kohli had been a strong leader who was propelling his bowlers to go and learn and get better," he added.

Hailing Bumrah as the most complete bowler, Philander explained how the mindset change brought incredible success to the Indian pacer in Test cricket.

"Bumrah is the (most) complete bowler at the moment. He has got magnificent skills and he has also learnt the trade of holding a line and length and that is the reason behind his success at the Test level," Philander said.

"Initially, he wanted to bowl wicket-taking deliveries all the time and leaked runs but now he has learnt consistency," he further remarked.

The ongoing five-Test series between India and England is evenly poised at 1-1 at the moment. The third Test match is slated to be held in Rajkot from February 15.