Kohli is fit to continue playing, says Umesh

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I have a better idea about myself now, says Yadav. Image Source: m.dailyhunt.in

Internet Desk: India’s star pacer Umesh Yadav today assured that Virat Kohli is “fit to play”, reducing tensions over the injured skipper’s participation in the rest of the important third Test against Australia at Ranchi.

“Bandage will obviously remain after an injury. But I think he’s fit to play. The way he’s practising at the nets it seems he’s all set to come back,” Yadav said when asked about Kohli’s injury after the second day’s play.

The host nation had heaved a sigh of relief last night when medical reports confirmed that there were no “serious concerns” with regards to Kohli’s shoulder injury.

Kohli could not field after landing awkwardly on his right shoulder while trying to save a boundary in the post-lunch session on day one of the match at Jharkhand State Cricket Association stadium.

Such was the impact that he had difficulty in standing up and was grimacing in pain. He had to be rushed out of the field immediately.

Yadav also added that a longtime place in India’s national side has helped him to explore his strengths and weakness as a bowler which has boosted his confidence.

“I’m doing the same thing but the confidence level is high, having played more matches. And the hard work is paying off. When I was in and out of the team, I was not sure what to do. With more matches, I began realising what to do and what not. I slowly realised my strength and weaknesses. Now I have a better idea,” Yadav said at the press conference.

“A lot was written in the media earlier that I bowl a leg-stump line and concede boundaries on the leg side. I have cut that off in a big way and slowly I got back to my rhythm.

Trying to bowl in a best way.”

He was seen bowling a lot of cross seam deliveries and Yadav said the pitch dictates the manner you should bowl.

“Once I understand the wicket, then I figure out if a cross seam ball will be effective or when it can be used an effective ball. It is about understanding the wicket and decide on a cross or upright seam. When I feel the ball can jump up off a length or variable bounce then I bring that into my game.”

On a docile wicket where India’s ace spinner Ravichandran Ashwin returned with a solitary wicket, Ravindra Jadeja grabbed his eighth fifer and the key to his success was his consistency in exploiting the roughs, Yadav said.

“He is the kind of bowler whose bowling style suits all kind of wickets. Jaddu is going through the best phase of his career,” Yadav said.

With inputs from PTI.