Bowling wicket to wicket is very important in Tests: Umesh Yadav

Back in the side after being sidelined for some months due to poor form, Indian pacer Umesh Yadav has said he will focus on getting his line and length right in next month's Test and ODI series against South Africa. 

"I am not thinking too much. I will just focus on line and length. The conditions will be different there and the wickets too will be different there," Yadav told reporters ahead of the crucial which features two Tests and three ODIs starting December 5. 

"Mentally I will be ready to bowl to a length, which could be three-quarter and around the off stump. I am focused on this aspect. Bowling wicket to wicket is very important in Test match cricket," he said.

Yadav was part of the squad for the Test series against West Indies but didn't make it to the final XI and said he is keeping his fingers crossed to play against the Proteas in the upcoming tour. 

"I will keep my fingers crossed. Anything can happen. We have spinners who can extract turn on any wicket. It would be good if I get a chance, but the composition and balance of the team is vital," he said. 

The 26-year-old Vidarbha bowler will be representing his side in the Ranji match against Mumbai starting on Thursday. 

Asked about his interaction with the host skipper and senior India bowler Zaheer Khan at the nets, Yadav said, "We met after a long time today. He enquired about my fitness and advised me to concentrate on line and length."

Yadav, who has played nine Tests and 26 ODIs for India, said he is playing Ranji games to get some match practice. 

"For every fast bowler match practice is very important. There will be lot of bounce on the South African wickets. So, this match against Mumbai will be a good preparation on a probably helpful wicket here," he said. 

"The Ranji games are good practice games for me to improve fitness," he added. The speedster had a back injury which ruled him out for
the Australia series but he said he is feeling fine now.

"Right now I am bowling well and feeling fine. I have already played two Ranji games. I am getting better and feeling better," he said. He admitted that he is not bowling at the same level right now. 

"I have started playing after the injury. It takes time to get into the rhythm, but I am feeling much better. The more I play I will be able to get into top rhythm," he said.