Leeds: Mohammed Siraj’s meteoric rise is hardly a surprise for India skipper Virat Kohli. He said that the pacer’s confidence has now risen to a level where he believes that he can get any batsman out. Virat Kohli is right person to comment as he has nurtured Siraj from his RCB days.
Siraj is 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 have troubled the home batsmen consistently. Eight of his 11 wickets came at the Lord’s Test which 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 boosted his confidence,” Kohli said at a virtual media interaction on the eve of the third Test.
“He is walking around knowing he can get anyone out at any stage. The belief in his game has been elevated to another level, hence you see results of what he is doing,” the skipper added.
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 never going to take a backward step,” Kohli commented.
Kohli was also full of praise for his openers – Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul – and expected them to continue their good form. Rohit (36, 12, 83 and 21) and Rahul (84, 26, 129, 5) have given India a solid platform so far in the series.
“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. We hope that they continue in the same manner,” Kohli pointed out.
“To set the right platform from where the team can build on and that is what they provided us in both the Tests. That is definitely a big boost for us,” a pleased captain said.
Kohli also said that he expected a different wicket at Lord’s than what the team eventually encountered.
“We were quite surprised to see the pitch the way it was, honestly I did not expect it. I thought there would be more grass. Anything is possible, we name a 12 and on the day, we have a look at the pitch, accordingly, we will go in with the right combination,” he said.
Kohli was asked if rival skipper Joe Root is under pressure considering the mistakes he made in the second Test. However, Kohli backed his counterpart.
“I don’t know what an individual mindset is? You can make mistakes and planning at any given stage of the match. It does not necessarily mean you are under pressure. You just take a decision, which in hindsight was not correct. As captain, you always try to make the right decision and I am sure he was trying to do the same. If it’s not right you take it on chin and move ahead as he did,” Kohli said.