Kohli delighted to have Ishant back in the fold

India captain Virat Kohli said on Friday that he is delighted that he will have fast bowler Ishant Sharma available for the second Test against South Africa, starting in Bangalore on Saturday.
Ishant will return to the side after serving a one-match suspension for over excessive celebrations in the final Test on the tour of Sri Lanka in August.
Kohli said having Ishant in the team was important as the paceman has vast experience of bowling in Indian conditions and can generate reverse swing with the old ball.
Speaking to reporters, Kohli said: "With Ishant coming in, he brings in a lot of experience. He's bowled well in sub-continent conditions, knows how to reverse swing the ball, can lead the pace attack.
"The combination can or will change according to the conditions. I would rather have a guy who will give me control in an important time in the game than someone who will just get the overs out of the way. I'm very delighted that Ishant is back.
"We are just trying to figure out, according to the pitch, and conditions, who will be doing more of the bowling and at what stage in the game. The way he (Ishant) is bowling and the way he bowled in Sri Lanka, brings a lot to the table.
"It is not just about the spinners. We have quality seamers as well. We saw that in Mohali. For those two to rush the batsmen on that sort of a wicket, takes a lot of heart, takes a lot of effort.
"So I was really happy to see that personally."
India lead the four-match Test series against the Proteas after beating the visitors by 108 runs in the first game in Mohali.
Latest
-
News
Zak Crawley rediscovers form as Kent’s clash with Northamptonshire is drawn
Crawley started the week averaging under 20 in this season’s LV= Insurance County Championship.
-
News
India recall Cheteshwar Pujara for rescheduled Test against England
The 34-year-old has scored four hundreds in eight innings for Sussex this season.
-
News
Keith Barker blows away Somerset to help Hampshire to victory
The visitors needed just one run in their second innings to seal victory.
-
News
Craig Overton claims 400th first-class wicket in Somerset-Hampshire clash
The England seamer’s three-wicket burst left the contest delicately balanced at the halfway stage.
-
News
Three positive Covid tests confirmed in New Zealand’s tour party
Batter Henry Nicholls, seamer Blair Tickner and bowling coach Shane Jurgensen will self-isolate for five days.
-
News
Zak Crawley outdone by Ben Compton as Kent start strongly at Northamptonshire
Opener Compton stole the show with an unbeaten 125.
-
News
Mark Wood admits frustration over slow progress from elbow surgery
Wood is targeting a Test return towards the back end of the summer.
-
News
McCullum hopes ‘attractive brand of Test cricket’ can see red-ball game thrive
New head coach Brendon McCullum is looking to transform England’s fortunes.
-
News
Effects of lockdown on bowlers may be playing part in spate of stress fractures
In the past week Jofra Archer, Saqib Mahmood and Matthew Fisher have all been ruled out for the season with lower back injuries.
-
News
Ben Stokes to be subject of Amazon documentary created by Sam Mendes
The 30-year-old will open up on his World Cup and Headingley heroics as well as his off-the-field troubles.