Former Indian batsman Mohammad Kaif has backed Umesh Yadav as the third pacer for the upcoming Test series against Australia.
Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami will be the team’s main fast bowlers and they are going to hold the key. Kaif stated that Umesh Yadav has been erratic with his line and length but he has the experience under his belt.
Yadav also scalped four wickets in the first warm-up match against Australia A at Drummoyne Oval, Sydney. In fact, former Australian skipper Ian Chappell had revealed Ravi Shastri told him that Umesh Yadav will be India’s third pacer.
Yadav has the pace under his belt but he can be wayward with his line and length and thus he can be expensive. Meanwhile, the fast bowler was at his best against Australia in the 2017-18 Border Gavaskar Test series as he had snared 17 wickets in four matches. However, he couldn’t deliver the goods in the solitary Test match he played of the 2018-19 series as he scalped only two wickets.
On the other hand, India will also miss the services of their veteran fast bowler Ishant Sharma. Ishant had scalped 11 wickets in the three Test matches on the previous Test tour of Australia. Ishant had consistently troubled Aaron Finch in the previous Test series. Thus, it will be crucial for Umesh Yadav to deliver the goods in the absence of Ishant Sharma.
Mohammad Kaif said while talking on Sony Sports Network, “For me, it will be Umesh Yadav because Ishant Sharma is not there who had played an important role when India won the series last time. He had gelled very well with Shami and Bumrah, the three fast bowlers plus Ashwin plus Vihari part-time off-spin. Ishant Sharma was bowling with the new ball.”
Yadav has done a fine job while bowling in the Indian conditions but his record in the overseas conditions is not up to the mark. Consequently, the 33-year old pacer will need to come up with a better performance to support Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami.
The first Test match will take place at Adelaide Oval from December 17.
