Bengaluru, July 4: Team India's Test skipper Virat Kohli is mighty pleased with the return of skillful pacer Mohammed Shami's return in the side and feels the Bengal speedster has the ability to hit the "perfect Test match length", which would be necessary for the upcoming West Indies tour.

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Post 2015 ICC World Cup, where he bowled with an injured knee, Shami had been out of international cricket for more than 15 months. He later underwent knee surgery and was out of action for a long time.

On what he feels on Shami's return, who has not played much cricket, Kohli said, "Shami is obviously a very skillful guy and we all know that. He has a lot of ability with the ball. The way he releases and pitches the ball, it's more than perfect for Test cricket. I mean the line and length that he hits is always attacking no matter how the wicket is."

Kohli then went on to explain as to what makes Shami cut above others in the longer version.

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"Best thing is if its seaming and swinging, he can bowl the conventional line and length. If it's reverse swinging, he knows exactly where to bring the ball from. He has a great sense and feel of how to get a batsman out. We are working on the aspect of mental strength of his game. The thing that we push for him is more consistency."

Kohli hopes that after a long lay-off (about 15 months) from the Indian team, Shami is hungry to perform.

"He had a great season before he got injured. He couldn't play World T20 due to injury, so I am sure he is eager to make a comeback and prove (his worth) all over again," said Kohli.

OneIndia News

(With inputs from agencies)