He also opened up about his desire to make it to Indian team for the T20 World Cup 2022.
The Indian pacer Umesh Yadav is in stunning form with the ball for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the ongoing IPL 2022. In his first six matches in the ongoing IPL 2022, the experienced bowler has snared 10 wickets for the KKR, with best figures of 4/23 in his quota of four overs.
Given his amazing performances so far in the IPL 15, many, including the speedster, believe he can make a comeback to India’s T20I side, but at the same time, Yadav is aware of the tough competition in Indian cricket and that it is not only good for the team, but also the players.
Umesh Yadav exclusively told ANI: “Definitely if you look at the structure of Indian cricket then it is a very healthy competition because all the boys are playing together for years and everybody knows that they will have to do well in order to play for the country and for the IPL. So, everybody has to do well. Not only me but Mohammad Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj. There are a lot of bowlers. Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar Kumar) is also there.”
The pacer added, “Time will tell who performs well till the end and who does well in coming matches, I feel this is very healthy and the one who is passionate about and if he is doing well then even I have to do well. The tough fight should be there then that if a person even after reaching a certain age is bowling well then even I have to perform. So, if everyone is thinking like that then it is good for the team. This is good for Indian cricket as other boys will also get motivated to do well.”
He also picked his performance against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) as a special one so far in the ongoing IPL 2022. He took four wickets in that match and helped KKR to bundle out PBKS for a paltry 137.
Speaking about this particular match, Yadav said: “The performance against Punjab was kind of special because the situation was tricky the way they had started and were making runs quickly because in the starting it seemed that they will reach up to 200 but the way team made a comeback everybody contributed like Tim Southee gave us a breakthrough. After that, every bowler who came in gave us a breakthrough so it was a combined team performance.
It seemed that the entire team was playing as a unit, everybody was thinking that they will make 200 but we restricted Punjab Kings to 130. I got the 'Player of the Match' award but the entire team was involved in it without them it was difficult because the way Tim Southee created pressure from one end after that Mavi bowled well in a situation when he was being hit for runs he came and took wickets. The way spinners bowled. So, definitely, it was a team performance, I am happy that we played as a team and we won that match.”
The way the 34-year-old pacer is performing in the ongoing IPL 2022, he is presenting a strong case for himself for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2022, but he stressed he isn’t thinking much about it.
Yadav further explained, “I have not thought so much about the T20 World Cup as of now. Yes, the World Cup is there and that depends on the selectors, team management whatever it is. It all depends on them and if I perform well then definitely I am eligible for the selection but for the time being, I am focussing on the IPL and for me, it is important that I do well here and before that also there are tournaments.
So, before the World Cup, I need to do well in the other white-ball tournaments. So, I will first look at these goals rather than World Cup goals. So, it is not like that. as a fast bowler, I have short-term goals. First IPL and then after that whatever Indian tours if I get selected then definitely looking for that.”
He signed off by saying about his work ethic, “The more I am going to take care of my body then my body will take care of me. During my free time when I am not practicing then I try to maintain my work ethic which is necessary for my bowling. If I keep my body strong then I will be strong in the ground too.”
(With ANI Inputs)