Umesh Yadav returned with match-figures of 9/113 in the first quarterfinal against Uttarakhand to push Vidarbha towards the semi-final round of the ongoing Ranji Trophy season.

Indian pacer's velocity and swing proved too good for the inexperienced opponent as defending champions won the knock-out encounter by an innings and 115 runs. 

Leaving head coach Chandrakant Pandit and captain Faiz Fazal delighted for the right-arm fast bowler, who was later awarded "Player-of-the-Match" as well. 

"He(Umesh) is an exception I would say to other players, despite being an international player, he gives his 100% for the state and there is no question about his commitment, he has played with most of these players throughout his career and there is mutual respect. He is always willing to help and share tips with other bowlers," Pandit was quoted saying. 

Before Fazal emphasized how Umesh's pace and the natural swing takes the flat nature of pitches in India out of the equation. 

"There are not many bowlers who can bowl continuously above 140kph. If you see the way he bowled in the second innings, then you'll realize his importance," the skipper said.  

"The wicket was still good to bat on and pretty much dead, but facing any bowler who bowls so accurately at high pace is always difficult, he is extremely humble and approachable as well for the team."

Pandit, who is a well-renowned coach in the Indian domestic circuit, also gave huge credit to Wasim Jaffer, Akshay Wadkar and praised the whole team for starting off the knock out round really well. 

"We came into the match with some great momentum behind us, but in the knockouts, you have to give your extra effort. Playing a five-day game is different from a four-day game and how you utilize that extra day makes a lot of difference," he concluded. 

(Inputs from CricketNext)