Mohammed Siraj Is Not Going To Take Backward Step, He Will Not Be Scared: Virat Kohli

Indian skipper Virat Kohli on Tuesday heaped praise over young bowler Mohammed Siraj for his rise in Test cricket and called him fearless.

Siraj, who made his test debut in Melbourne last year, is on the song after he picked a match-haul of eight wickets against England in the second Test at Lord’s.

Although the bowler missed one wicket in each of his innings from getting his name featured on the Lord’s honours board, he has impressed experts and fans with his incredulous spell.

Really happy to see Mohammed Siraj coming into his own: Virat Kohli

Kohli said he was happy to see Siraj’s transition and said in the coming days he will be a danger to opposition batters.

“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 in a virtual media press conference ahead of the third Test.

Not surprised by Mohammed Siraj’s growth: Virat Kohli

England’s Moeen Ali and Jos Buttler looked settled at the increase in the final hour of the session and it looked as if the hosts were going to force a draw but Siraj ensured the match was won by India as he picked back to back wickets of Moeen Ali and Sam Curran.

Later he got the wicket of Buttler, England’s last recognised batsman before he knocked off James Anderson’s off-stump to hand India a 151-run victory.

Kohli, who plays with Siraj in IPL for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), said he wasn’t surprised by Siraj’s growth and reckoned that the Hyderabad bowler can get anyone dismissed at any point of time.

“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.

“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.

According to Kohli’s revelation, India will most likely remain unchanged in the third Test against England at Headingley in Leeds.

Also Read: R Sridhar Reveals How Mohammed Siraj Scripted Excellence At Lord’s With The Help Of Bharat Arun