Indian captain Virat Kohli has lauded the team’s rookie fast bowler Mohammed Siraj for his rapid rise at the top level. Siraj has impressed in his young career and he has shown the skills to go a long way in his career.

Kohli, who has observed Siraj from close corners in RCB, feels the fast bowler from Hyderabad always had the skill under his repertoire but he grew in stature and confidence after a successful tour of Australia.

Siraj made his debut at the MCG and since then he hasn’t looked back. The 27-year old scalped 13 wickets in three Test matches on tour Down Under and finished as India’s leading wicket-taker in the series.

Siraj has been right on the money and he is bowling in the right channel to get his rewards. The fast bowler scalped eight wickets in the Lord’s Test match and played a key role in the team’s win. Siraj returned with figures of 4-32 in the second innings and bowled at the top of his game.

“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.

Siraj has been aggressive in his bowling approach and he has tried to get under the skin of the opposition. Kohli added that Siraj is not scared and he is not someone who will take a backward step.

“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 said.

Siraj is ticking the right boxes and he has made a place for himself in the team. The fast bowler is now a vital cog in India’s wheel and he will look to keep improving.