Kohli backs Yadav for Australia Tests

Skipper Virat Kohli Sunday said paceman Umesh Yadav was likely to feature in India's XI during the upcoming tour of Australia after his heroics in the West Indies Test series sweep.

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

Yadav's heroics stood out after he lost his pace partner in Shardul Thakur due to a groin strain, returning career-best figures of 6 for 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 just 46.1 overs.

Kohli was quick to admit that the muscular Yadav has done good before the all-important Australia tour starting November. The first of the four Tests begins in Adelaide on December 6.

"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 work up pace of over 140 kmph and decent seam movement always makes him the captain's pick for home and away tours.