Kohli backs Yadav to thrive in Australia

Virat Kohli has backed paceman Umesh Yadav to feature against Tim Paine's Australia this summer after his heroics against the West Indies that led India to a series sweep.

Yadav claimed his maiden 10-wicket match haul to help the world's top Test side thrash the Windies by 10 wickets inside three days of the second Test in Hyderabad.

Yadav's efforts stood out after he lost his pace partner in Shardul Thakur due to a groin strain, returning career-best figures of 6-88 in the first innings.

He was equally menacing in the second West Indies innings as his four wickets were instrumental in the tourists being bowled out for 127 in 46.1 overs.

Kohli was quick to admit that the muscular Yadav had impressed before the all-important Australia tour starting November. The first match of the Domain Test Series begins in Adelaide on December 6.

Image Id: 4F0F0B94C0EA4AD4B7FDFDABB2AF8EC1 Image Caption: Yadav and Kohli celebrate a wicket // AP

"Umesh is right up there to be featuring in Australia," Kohli told reporters.

"He has got the pace, he has the got the fitness levels to run in all day, picks up wickets at crucial times and he gets good bounce as well," he said.

Yadav has taken 117 wickets in 40 Tests with an economy rate of 3.58 since making his debut against West Indies in 2011 at Delhi's Feroz Shah Kotla ground.

His ability to bowl over 140kph and extract decent seam movement makes him one of Kohli's favourites.

"Not many people realise but he is a very, very talented bowler. He can bowl you unplayable deliveries every now and then which we experience in the nets all the time," said Kohli.

"I think bowling is something that we need to keep as a major strength for us in order for us to feel that we have a chance to win series when we travel away from home as well. I think these guys are taking responsibility well."

The 30-year-old Yadav is part of India's growing pace pack that is fighting amongst themselves to make a place in the world's top Test side.

Veteran fast bowler Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah have all featured in recent Indian teams with decent results.

Image Id: 882C3405ED3C49A698A3CD7A1963BDDA Image Caption: India celebrate their series win // AP

While Sharma led India's charge with 18 wickets in five Tests in England, Shami was not far behind with 16 scalps. India lost the series 4-1 but the pacemen did match steps with the likes of James Anderson and Stuart Broad.

"Obviously, all four guys, when they are touching 140 and when they are taking wickets for you, it is obviously something that any captain would like to have," said Kohli.

"It's good to have all guys confident and raring to go. Four Tests in Australia can be brutal because the ball doesn't do much like in England," Kohli said.

India will play three Twenty20 internationals before four Tests and then three one-dayers in Australia.

India Tour of Australia 2018-19

Gillette T20s v India

November 21: The Gabba

November 23: MCG

November 25: SCG

Domain Tests v India

December 6-10: Adelaide Oval

December 14-18: Perth Stadium

December 26-30: MCG

January 3-7: SCG

Gillette ODI Series v India

January 12: SCG (D/N)

January 15: Adelaide Oval (D/N)

January 18: MCG (D/N)