Former Team India pacer Ashish Nehra has spoken about the chances of speedster Umesh Yadav and exciting young pacer Khaleel Ahmed ahead of the 2019 World Cup. His opinion came with regards to a fourth pace option in Men in Blue’s campaign in England for the quadrennial event.
Regarding his verdict on the ICC’s ODI showpiece, the additional seamer is bound to be crucial considering the conditions in the United Kingdom (UK).
However, recently, Umesh has reaped the reward on being introduced in the two-match Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) including Siddarth Kaul against Australia. Well, Kaul is featured in the squad, for first two ODIs against Australia.
To add more to it, Umesh is banking on a wealth of experience as Khaleel is putting in hard yards to rise against the tide.
Khaleel bagged four wickets in five outings in 2019, but the left-arm option could put weight in the bowling debate. He made his debut in the Asia Cup 2018 against Hong Kong.
The 39-year-old Nehra, who retired in November 2017, feels if Umesh is picked in the 15-member squad it will keep hold of the 2015 World Cup core. He added Bumrah would be there to enhance the chances.
Nehra evades on directly picking the fourth seamer:
Although, diplomatic in response Nehra hinted of picking Umesh by his experience.
“Umesh has the experience of bowling well in a World Cup. If he goes, India will retain the core of the 2015 World Cup and there will be Bumrah to boost,” Nehra told Times of India.
While talking about the 21-year-old Khaleel, who is inexperienced, has a lot to learn on its way.
“Khaleel is raw. He doesn’t have the experience of first-class cricket. His pace has dropped but that happens to any young bowler. He will learn and get better,” Nehra concluded.
So far, Khaleel has featured in nine T20Is, eight ODIs for the Men in Blue. Across formats, the paceman has bagged 21 wickets since September 18.
Recently, Umesh has done exceedingly well in the Ranji Trophy 2018-19 season, whereas, the left-arm paceman Khaleel has come good, of late after a bleak show.
In five games for the two-time Ranji champions Vidarbha, Umesh claimed 26 scalps in five matches in the recently-held season. Faiz Fazal-led side retained the coveted first-class trophy by thrashing Saurashtra.
India to face Australia:
On the other side, the Men in the Blue squad will have strong bowling line-up in the form of Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami, who has shown a lot of improvement in the series Down Under.
Meanwhile, the core bowlers will prepare themselves for the mega event. Bhuvneshwar has three ODIs to play against Australia led by Aaron Finch. For India, the return of Virat Kohli and Bumrah has strengthened the squad.
Moreover, the limited-over will kick off on February 24 in Vizag. On the five-match, ODI series will commence on March 2 in Hyderabad.
Besides, the bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya is another option as a medium pacer. However, the tough task it to settle with the fourth regular seemer.