NEWS
Follow UsUmesh Yadav said India will have to get rid of New Zealand captain Kane Williamson as quickly as possible in the World Test Championship final, to be played at Lord's from June 18. The 33-year-old paceman also believes India will have to be "disciplined" throughout the course of the match if they want to topple the Black Caps.
"We do have a fair idea about Kane’s game, though I don’t think he has too many weaknesses. Of course, any quality batsman can fall to a good delivery, so as a fast bowler, you should look to stick to your strong points and bowl more of those balls which can fetch you wickets. And yeah, we need to get Kane out as early as possible as that’ll surely benefit the team," Umesh told Telegraph India.
"New Zealand are a strong side, they bat deep and their pacers are quite experienced and lethal. So it will be a tough game. English conditions are also a big challenge for us and so is playing against a team like New Zealand. But being Test players, we need to play with discipline and make sure we remain disciplined right throughout in all aspects of the game.
"The team that maintains such discipline in each and every session will prevail."
It won't be easy for Umesh to break into the playing XI with Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur in the squad but the right-arm fast bowler isn't too worried and just wants to control the controllables. Umesh hasn't played any competitive cricket since injuring his calf muscle in the second Test in Australia. He was also part of the Delhi Capitals franchise in IPL 2021 but didn't get a single game.
"Look, we can’t have any control over injuries. But that kind of injury (calf muscle) happened to me for the first time in my 10 years at this level. It has never happened in the past that I had to leave the ground due to an injury," he said.
"Now, being in the XI or not being included is another part of the game. You play some, you miss some. But I have kept backing myself and also motivate myself during training so that my mind and body stay positive… That helps me feel strong. It’s just about keeping yourself fit with a positive mindset, which is in your control.
"As I would say, conditions, situations and who’s bowling well in matches as well as at the nets determine the final XI. Besides, that’s the job of the team management and honestly, we (Indian bowlers) are never really tensed regarding our chances."