Indian captain Virat Kohli heaped rich praise on fast bowler Mohammed Siraj after his heroics with the ball in the second Test at Lord’s which helped the visitors go 1-0 up with a 151-run victory.
Speaking on the eve of the third Test to be played at Leeds, Virat Kohli said that Siraj’s confidence has now risen to a level where he believes that he can get any batsman out at any point of the game. He has 11 wickets in first two Tests against England thanks to his 8-wicket haul in Lord’s.
"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.
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," Kohli said at a virtual media interaction on the eve of the third Test.
Kohli also said that Siraj'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 added.
The third Test will be played on August 25 at Headingley.
(PTI inputs)
