Umesh Yadav on his captains: “Everyone is different”

Umesh Yadav on his captains: Umesh Yadav talks about the captains he has played under, not getting a regular go in the Indian team and other topics.

There is no hiding to the fact that Indian fast bowler Umesh Yadav is one of the best in his category in the nation. Despite that, the 30-year old cricketer from Vidarbha is included in the team as the back-up options. In limited-overs cricket, he is usually overlooked.

Even in Test cricket, Yadav has walked a peculiar path. After playing 12 (out of 13) Test matches in the 2016-17 mega home season, Yadav was sidelined for seven (out of eight) matches in South Africa and England, something which can be disheartening for any fast bowler.

In a recent interview with ESPNcricinfo, Yadav let out the truth that it is difficult to sit out of the playing eleven on a consistent basis. “You are sitting for five days, trying to read the game from outside, to be aware of what’s happening… Nobody likes to sit out. You can’t really do anything.

“Sometimes you feel like, ‘I would have got wickets if I was playing.’ Sitting outside is more tiring than playing! So yes, it was disappointing for me that I got to play only one of the last eight away Tests, but I think there’s nothing to be gained from harping on it. Now I need to focus on how to do better if I get a match, so that I get more chances in the future”, he was quoted.

Yadav was India’s highest wicket-taker (third-highest overall) during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, picking up 18 wickets in eight matches at an average of 17.83, an economy rate of 4.83 and a strike rate of 21.4. Since then, he has played 25 ODIs, dismissing 38 batsmen at an average of 34.63, an economy rate of 6.38 and a strike rate of 32.5.

His mediocre individual performance along with him not getting enough chances have contributed to his current stature in limited-overs cricket. However, Yadav still believes that he can be India’s third pacer in the ODI setup alongside the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah.

“I think it is a bit difficult at this time, because of how I have got my chances. I have got to play after long gaps. And in those chances, I think I may not be performing up to the expectations people have of me. If I play an ODI after two months, then there is a six-month gap, and then I get to play one more ODI, obviously there is difficulty in claiming a spot. I feel I still have good chances, but I need to do well to seal that place. I am confident that I will do well and can be the third fast bowler in the ODI team”, he said.

In the last week or so, the Indian team management and selectors have been accused of lack of communication with the players by the likes of Karun Nair and Murali Vijay. Also been in and out of the side (or playing eleven) lately, Yadav said of the otherwise. “Definitely [give reasons for not playing me]. They know that if you’re making someone who has played 35-40 Tests sit out, you have to explain to them why. So that communication is there.

“Like, in England, I played the first Test. In the second Test, they felt they should play a spinner, but with the rain all plans were changed. Nobody can do anything about it. Their decision went a little bit wrong. Still, they had told me, “It’s not that we are dropping you, Umesh. But our thinking and planning is for an extra spinner, that’s it,” he further said.

On being asked about the various captains that the has played under, Yadav answered that each one of them has his own skills. “Everyone is different. Mahi [MS Dhoni] bhai was very calm and cool. Virat [Kohli] is different, he does well when he’s aggressive. The more aggressive he is, the better he plays, so that suits him.

“There is joy in working with a captain who has confidence in you, who says, ‘Tu bindaas daal’ [Bowl without worrying about anything]. I have played under quite a few captains. I have liked playing under both Virat and Mahi bhai the most. They both have given me freedom at the start and helped me if my plans weren’t working,” said Yadav.

Yadav is currently part of the Indian eleven for the first Test against West Indies at Rajkot. He would be desperate to register a few impact-generating spells which will make his case stronger to get a go in the upcoming tour of Australia, a country where he has bowled well over the years.

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