Umesh Yadav was considered by many including former captain Sourav Ganguly as the find of India’s mammoth home season.
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While the focus was firmly on India’s spin duo during the home season, Umesh silently proved his worth, as he played 12 of the 13 Tests in conditions not suitable for fast-bowlers. Match after match and series after series, he shouldered the responsibility of leading the pace-attack with utmost aplomb.
He consistently troubled the batsmen with his pace, swing and bounce and emerged as India’s pace spearhead. He proved his worth by picking up 17 wickets in the Border-Gavaskar series and became the Indian fast-bowler with most wickets in a four-match series.
Umesh did not have the best of starts to his international career but has made remarkable improvements in the last one year or so and has now become a regular in the Test team with his consistent performances.
Speaking on bcci.tv, the right-arm pacer said he wanted to become a pacer right from his childhood despite facing several ordeals. The 29-year-old said his ability to hit the 140kph mark consistently gave him the confidence of making it big.
“As I started growing up, I started to also get a fair idea as to what is the art of fast bowling. It wasn’t very easy for me, considering from where I started. When I got the chance, I grabbed it with both hands and also realised I had the ability to do well,” said Umesh.
“But my USP was pace. I always knew there are many who can bowl in the 130-135kph bracket. But I also knew that if you can consistently hit the 140kph mark, then you definitely you have something different and you will get an opportunity,” he added.
Umesh’s fitness has been lauded by one and all and the Vidharba Express admitted that he realised the importance of fitness with the passage of time.
“But as I started playing more, that is when I realised the importance of fitness. Also, it was important to follow the schedule and the training routine. If you don’t work on the recovery aspect, then it becomes very difficult as u can survive for a while, but after that, your back starts becoming stiff, then your shoulder, hamstring and glute power,” said the 29-year-old.
“The body might be naturally strong, but if you don’t strengthen it, it starts collapsing after a point of time. So, as a fast bowler, whenever I get an opportunity, I work on recovery and strengthening myself. I know it is a must for me if I have to stay for long. Just like the engine needs oil, I need to train. If I don’t do that, I won’t be able to go the distance,” he added.
Umesh further revealed that he initially found it tough to bowl with the leather ball. He began bowling with the seasoned cricket ball at the age of 20 and before that he used to play with tennis and rubber balls.
“When I started off, I used to play with tennis and rubber balls. So, I had a good idea on how to use it. But I found the leather ball hard to comprehend because I had started playing with it at an older age,” he said. “Initially for the first couple of years, I found the going very tough with the leather ball. Some balls would swing away while some would automatically swing in.”
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