Mohammed Siraj Has Come A Long Way, We Can Rely On A Guy Like That: Kohli

Mumbai: Ahead of the South Africa tour, India Test skipper Virat Kohli on Monday said that pacer Mohammed Siraj’s evolution has been great to see and it is a good sign for the side.

At the Wankhede wicket where all the other seamers in the game were not able to leave much of an impact, Mohammed Siraj managed to take three wickets in the first inning. Also Read: Great To See Boys Stepping Up, Taking Their Opportunities: Rahul Dravid After Win

“Siraj has come a long way, he is someone who has a lot of skill and talent. He puts in the great effort every time he bowls, his performance is a great boost for him. We can rely on a guy like that. It is a great sign for any team to have a bowler like that who can give you key breakthroughs which can prove to be the difference in winning a Test match or drawing it,” said Kohli while replying to an ANI query during a virtual press conference. Also Read: Kohli Becomes First Player To Win 50 International Matches In Each Format

“If you have a look at the Lord’s Test against England, the ball stopped swinging but he was able to get purchase off the wicket because of the skill he has. He has come a long way, he is probably in the best headspace he has been as a bowler. It is about developing that and staying fit and being the bowler that the team wants him to be,” he added. Also Read: Taking Confidence From Past Performances Against England: Steve Smith Ahead Of Ashes

Talking about Mayank Agarwal’s performance in the second Test, Kohli lauded him and said he has done an impactful performance, adding that he is definitely an asset.

Kohli said, “Great application from Mayank. To play at this level for a long period of time, he has shown great character. We have all gone through certain stages in our career where we have had to bring that impact performance and he has done that. This will help him in being consistent for India in the coming years, he is definitely an asset. These types of innings will certainly give him confidence.” Also Read: India Record Their Biggest-Ever Test Win By Runs vs NZ, Win 14th Straight Series At Home

When asked whether team management sees Shubman Gill as a middle-order option, Kohli said, “Well, that is a discussion that needs to take place on who we think are specialists for certain positions. These are not things I cannot sit here and answer. You need to have discussions and analyse what is best for the team and the individual.”

India defeated New Zealand by 372 runs at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday. Mayank Agarwal’s heroics with the bat (150 & 62) and Jayant Yadav’s four-wicket haul in the second innings helped India seal the two-match series with 1-0.

With this win, Virat Kohli’s side will head to South Africa for three Tests and three ODIs, beginning December 26.

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