Umesh Yadav
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Career
2009-19
Ruchir Mishra, Nov 13, 2019: The Times of India
His performance in the ten tests preceding 14 Nov 2019
From: Ruchir Mishra, Nov 13, 2019: The Times of India
September 12, 2019. When the squad for the Freedom Series against South Africa was announced, Umesh Yadav’s name figured in the Board President’s XI instead of the national side. The news came as a shock to the Vidarbha pacer. In his nine-year international career, Yadav had seen many ups and downs but this seemed like a body blow.
The Vidarbha pacer felt he hadn’t done much wrong. In the last home Test that India had played before the South Africa series, he had taken a 10-wicket haul, becoming only the third Indian pacer after Kapil Dev, (twice) and Javagal Srinath to do so. No wonder Yadav, who turned 32 last month, was dejected. Doubts crept into his mind, but he fought the demons. According to his wife Tanya, Yadav got on with his regular routine as he felt it was the only way to bounce back.
“He was bit upset initially but gathered himself very quickly. Umesh is aware that he is part of a world-class unit and has to do well whenever the opportunity comes,” Tanya told TOI.
Subsequently, star pacer Jasprit Bumrah was injured and Yadav was called up as replacement. After warming the bench during the series against Australia and West Indies, he was eager to make a meaningful contribution. The smile was back with the wickets of Adrian Markam and Dean Elgar in the Pune Test. The pacer played a crucial role in India’s clean sweep against South Africa on pitches which didn’t offer much help. Yadav picked up 11 wickets in two Tests at an impressive average of 12.18. His strike rate of 21.2 was the best among all bowlers.
South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis praised Yadav after the series. South Africa’s assistant coach (performance) Prasanna Agoram, who has seen Yadav since he took a five-wicket haul against a star-studded South Zone side in 2009, said Yadav “now means business”. “There is a huge difference between the Umesh of 2009 and 2019. I like his attitude. He is a calm and quiet guy who listens to advice from everyone but has his own mind. This Umesh Yadav means business. He is more mature. He has got great skills and a sensible head on his shoulders,” Agoram told TOI.
Agoram had armed the South African players with detailed analysis about Yadav. “When he played in a warm-up game against us, he got Dean Elgar in the second over. The South Africans hold him in high regard. Whenever the captain demanded a wicket, he provided a breakthrough” he said. After a stop-start career laced with injuries and inconsistent performances, Yadav has been a regular in the Indian side. He was India’s leading pacer during the home Test series against New Zealand, England and Australia in 2016-17. Bumrah’s emergence meant somebody needed to make way. Unfortunately, it was Yadav’s turn.
“Umesh is very calm and secure. He knows there’s competition for places. He has immense selfbelief about what he can bring to the table. He has that positive mindset and always works very hard to overcome his shortcomings. Umesh knew he will get his chances and when he gets them, he will have to be ready,” Tanya said.
An average IPL prompted him to take a small break. “After the break, he was back to his routine. He would discuss and work on his bowling with Subroto (Bannerjee) sir,” she added.
