Umesh claimed 10-wicket haul to help India register a thumping 10-wicket victory over West Indies in the second Test at Hyderabad.
After picking up career-best figures of 6 for 88 in the first innings, Yadav scalped 4 wickets for 45 runs in the second essay to grab his maiden 10-wicket haul in red-ball cricket. With this stellar performance, Umesh became the third Indian pacer to register a 10-fer in Test cricket at home. Kapil Dev 11/146 vs Pakistan) and Javagal Srinath (13/132 vs Pakistan) are the other two bowlers.
Seeing Umesh Yadav’s awe-inspiring spells in Hyderabad, former India opener Sunil Gavaskar has said that the speedster has given a pleasant headache to Virat Kohli and selectors for the forthcoming Australia tour.
"Umesh Yadav has been in and out of the Indian team for such a long time. He's travelled to England without playing a match. Clearly the way he's bowled today getting wickets with reverse swinging deliveries... He's made a case to be selected in Australia. That is a pleasant headache for the selectors," Gavaskar told India Today.
He feels Yadav’s current form will be a great test for the Indian batters at the nets as they gear up to face the hostile Aussie pacers.
"India have some outstanding new-ball bowlers in Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammad Shami and even Ishant Sharma. So, it is not going to be easy but the fact that you have Umesh Yadav around is going to be comforting for the selectors and Virat,” Gavaskar asserted
"He will also give you good net practice in the nets...it is really important to have good practice in the nets and India will have somebody of Umesh's caliber. But as far as the final XI goes, it will all depend on what combination the team wants to go in with.
"I don't think they will play four new ball bowlers. They might go in with three fast bowlers and a spinner. But, 10 wickets in a match that has only been done twice in a match by Kapil Dev and Javagal Srinath...he has certainly made his case," he concluded.
Umesh bowled without the support of Shardul Thakur, who broke down after just 10 deliveries on the very first day of the Hyderabad Test. Captain Virat Kohli also singled out Umesh’s outstanding performance while speaking at the post-match presentation ceremony.
"I would like to single out Umesh. Shardul broke down in the first spell and Umesh deserves what he's achieved in this game. I am pleased to see how he's stepped up for us in the absence of Shami and after Shardul got injured. He keeps giving more than 100 per cent every time in the field. We all are happy for him, he's worked really hard and has waited for his chance to step up for us. He is the standout performer for me in this game as far as I am concerned," Kohli quoted.
