India’s senior cricket players, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, believe that pacer Mohammed Siraj’s outstanding form in 50-over cricket is a good sign for the Indian team as they head into the ODI World Cup later this year. Siraj has emerged as India’s most successful bowler in ODIs in the past year, especially in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah who has been on the sidelines due to a lower back stress fracture. Kohli said at the post-match presentation after India’s 317-run win over Sri Lanka in the third and final ODI that “He has taken the maximum number of wickets in the powerplay, which was an issue for us early. He is always making the batters think, which is a great sign for us going into the World Cup.”

Siraj, who rocked the Sri Lankan top-order, missed out on a fifer and returned with impressive figures of 4/32. Skipper Rohit Sharma said “He has come from strength to strength and that’s really good for Indian cricket.” India completed a 3-0 clean sweep of Sri Lanka in the ODI series and are scheduled to play three ODIs and as many T20Is with New Zealand, starting Wednesday.

Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka was disappointed by his side’s performance. “It’s disappointing. Not a game we wanted. It happens. We need to learn how to manage the start. Bowlers should learn how to take wickets on these decks and the batters should learn to score.” He also congratulated the Indian team for their performance.

In addition to Siraj’s performance, Kohli also had a standout series, achieving his 46th ODI hundred on Sunday, putting him closer to the legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 centuries in the 50 over format. Kohli said “I was happy to be batting out there and in that space I end up playing good cricket. I am in a nice space right now, just be organic.” He added that the player of the series trophy was a by-product of the intent he has.