Ahead of the crucial Test of England, India fast bowler Umesh Yadav said the upcoming ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final against New Zealand is like a World Cup final for him being a Test cricketer and he would like to win the trophy next month.
Along with the likes of Ajinkya Rahane, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Ishant Sharma, Umesh was one of the few players to play only Test cricket for the Indian cricket team and the speedster was very honest about his chances to return to India’s white-ball squad.
Recently, Ishant and Ajinkya termed the World Test Championship (WTC) final as the World Cup final and Umesh agreed with his compatriots, saying the WTC final against New Zealand is special as India reached the title clash by defeating a lot of good teams on their way.
The 33-year old pacer has been named in the India squad for the upcoming tour of England, where Team India will play the WTC Final against New Zealand from June 18 in Southampton followed by a five-match Test series against the hosts in August-September 2021.
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Yadav told ANI on Friday (May 21): “The only preparations going on right now, during the lockdown, is of individual physical fitness and being strong mentally. We are all trying to stay positive and just looking forward to playing the World Test Championship final. We are all training individually now so that when we come together we are even better.”
The pacer further added, “Yes, Ishant Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane are correct (to say WTC final is like World Cup final). As a player when you are playing Test matches, the WTC is like a World Cup for you.
It's very uncertain if we are going to get to play ODIs in the near future. So, as a Test match player, WTC is like a World Cup only. I also think the same. WTC final is different because you reach at that place by defeating a lot of good teams.”
On the challenging life inside a bio-bubble, Umesh said: “Yes, definitely it is difficult because once your quarantine is over, the bio-bubble life starts. Until 10-15 days, it is all great, but then it starts to get a little exhausting because you are in the same place in a limited area and you cannot go beyond that. So, being mentally strong and keeping yourself fresh is very important.”
On skipper Virat Kohli and head coach Ravi Shastri’s role in the players’ success, he said: “Virat and Ravi Bhai have worked really hard. The way Virat has captained and handled the team, the freedom and confidence that the captain and coach have given to the team keeps a lot of weightage because as a bowler or a batsman when you can play at your free will and freedom you definitely perform so much better.”
Yadav added, “When the team steps down on the ground, there is a kind of aggression, a feeling of backup and support. All 11 players are in sync with each other. So, coaches and captain deserve the credit for that. The players are very comfortable, there is a team spirit and good environment.”
On being asked whether winning the Test series in England would be like winning the final frontier for India, Umesh said: “When you start playing you always think that no matter what the situation is, you should know how to win even in the toughest of conditions.”
He further explained, “I feel that winning against strong teams like England and Australia has been a good journey. So you get a feeling of satisfaction and you know that your team is headed in a good direction and I feel India has been doing so for the last five years.”
However, the pacer stayed humble when asked whether India has the best bowling attack in the world right now, saying: “Can't say if India has the best fast-bowling attack in the world or not because there are so many teams with incredible talents. I'm sure as of now for India our fast bowling attack is the best and we are trying to improve and work and train on all our areas.”
He signed off by saying, “It depends on the situation and the condition when we play the match. A lot of times, when we start bowling, the sun comes over and it gets dry in England due to the sun. So, the ball doesn't do enough movement then.
When it's cloudy, then the ball also swings well. So, if we throw the ball in our control and in our discipline while playing in England, then that's the best, otherwise, it is difficult. So, to bowl with patience and discipline will be very important for us.”
(With ANI Inputs)
