Umesh Yadav feels he is fit as the fourth bowler in the Indian team for World Cup 2019

The Indian team management will keep a close look at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019 as many of their remaining questions might be answered during the tournament. India is in need of the batsman at the no.4 spot and a fourth fast bowler to back up the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, and Jasprit Bumrah.

One such player auditioning for the role of the backup bowler in India’s squad of the ICC World Cup 2019 is Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) fast bowler Umesh Yadav as he will play under Virat Kohli’s leadership, who will be captaining Indian team in the ICC event.

IPL is a platform to convince the selectors

Umesh Yadav was one of the leading bowlers for India in the ICC World Cup 2015 but has found himself sidelined in the limited-overs format after that tournament thanks to the rise of the likes of Bhuvneshwar and Bumrah, along with a fit Mohammed Shami. Also, his tendency to give away runs in the bargain of wickets has been a reason for his undoing in ODI cricket.

“If you look at the IPL as a platform to convince selectors that I am the man to be picked for the World Cup, I am the man. The fourth bowler that the team is looking at, I feel I fit that role. I don’t think any of the youngsters have done enough to replace the senior bowlers. At the end of the day, you are going to play the World Cup and not just any other tournament like a bilateral series,” Umesh was quoted saying by Business Standard.

You need an experienced bowler as a backup

Umesh Yadav stressed that the experience is something that cannot be bought. He mentioned that in case a frontline bowler gets injured during the World cup, the team must have an experienced pacer instead of a bowler with 10-12 matches behind him. The fourth bowler must have the mental ability to handle intense pressure and bowling in excess of 140 kmph is a bonus, qualities that he possesses.

“To be honest, if you look at it, I haven’t played too many ODI matches. You cannot count someone’s performance on the basis of a couple of matches here and there. If I am given a long run and back-to-back matches, then I can prove myself,” he further said.

Here’s Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) full squad for IPL 2019:

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