Playing mind games and bluffing oppositions help in the subcontinent: Umesh Yadav

One of the big positives that came out of India’s busy home season last year was the form of Umesh Yadav. He bowled in the right areas consistently and showed great fitness to remain injury less during the season. Umesh was as lethal with the new ball as he was with the old one. The 29-year old has certainly matured as a fast bowler over the last year.

Umesh has matured as a bowler

Umesh is currently in Sri Lanka and is set to open the bowling alongside Ishant Sharma. His statistics from the last season – 30 wickets from 12 Tests – doesn’t sound extraordinary but the arduous effort he put in during the season was heartwarming for Indian fans. Generally, fast bowlers don’t have much of a role to play during home games as spinners tend to dominate the proceedings. This is where Umesh was outstanding, he bowled his heart out whenever he was summoned by the skipper and made crucial blows when the spinners weren’t as penetrating on a given day.

The Vidarbha lad was always a raw talent who could bowl at pace. But with game time behind him, he has improved his skill tremendously in the last season. Speaking to India Today, the fast bowler spoke about being focused and consistent which brought him rewards.

“Every year you learn. I have worked so much in the past year on areas that needed work and on negatives. I have been more focused and realized more consistency will make me better. I have realized as a fast bowler you need to know what your aim is when running into bowl. I have realized fitness and thinking is crucial to success. The Umesh Yadav of old was quiet and reserved who worried, what if I get dropped. But when I got the chances I saw the improvement.”

‘I am a thinking bowler now’

Umesh spoke about the challenges slow surfaces of Asia offer to the fast bowlers. He said the ability to outthink the batsman is a key to success in these conditions.

“When you play in Asia you know you will not get conducive wickets and it’s hot and humid as well. On slow wickets, one has to think. Thinking is crucial to getting wickets on slow tracks with the old ball. I think the captain and team support also plays a role. When a fast bowler runs in on a flat track, you can run in fast all day but if you are not smart you are wasting energy. This is where I have improved on how to play mind games and bluff the opposition.”

Sri Lanka isn’t the same side they were two years ago. They offered stern competition to India in their 2015 tour of the Island but due to the exodus of star players due to retirement, they are struggling as an international team. Umesh maintained that it is still an important series for India and they will focus on beginning the season on a high again.

“For me Sri Lanka is as important as any other series. I know in Tests, mindset and body are very important. So long as that is in place I will enjoy the tour more.

I don’t know about 3-0 but the way we are playing we will try to play good cricket and if we do well that can happen as well. We are confident that the way we started, this season will begin in the same way.”

‘Competition doesn’t worry us’

There is a lot of competition for places amongst the fast bowlers in the Indian side these days. Umesh said that he enjoys the competition and doesn’t worry about missing out on games.

“We treat this as a team game. We know bowlers will be picked on conditions. Team requirement comes first and we all know that. The bowler in rhythm gets a chance first and those sitting on the sidelines back the other. Being dropped doesn’t worry us,” said Umesh signing off.