Hungry Umesh set for Ishant duel
NEW DELHI: India’s two top Test bowlers, Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav, will be in action for rival teams when Delhi take on reigning Ranji Trophy champions Vidarbha on a green wicket at the Kotla from Sunday.
Vidarbha are third in the combined Group A and B table while Delhi, thanks to performances in their last two matches—a win and first-innings lead—have moved up to 11th.
“The toss will be crucial. Both teams will want to use it and make use of the juice,” said Delhi coach Bantoo Singh. Delhi have included three pacers—Kulwant Khejroliya, who is back from injury, and Simarjeet Singh, alongside Ishant. Delhi have struggled for spin options of late.
Vidarbha, on the other hand, have a well-rounded attack and with Yadav around, it will be tough for Delhi batsmen, who are already under fire for their below par performances. The hosts plan to play an extra batsman.
Both Ishant and Umesh bowled at the nets. “Ishant has been bowling really well,” Bantoo said.
Yadav would be raring to go as he is match-hungry. Not included in the current ODI sides against Australia, he got to play four Tests, versus South Africa and Bangladesh, due to Jasprit Bumrah’s injury and responded with 23 wickets.
Yadav lamented lack of matches. “Workload management is a balance you strike when you are constantly playing. In my case, it’s been the opposite. I have played less in the past two years. There hasn’t even been the optimum workload for me,” he told reporters. “I am 31 and the next 4-5 years are very important. I played four Tests last year (2019) and another four in 2018. In white ball, I played only one game last year. At this age, the more I bowl, the better I will get. That’s why I am playing five first-class (vs Saurashtra next) to get some more workload.”
Yadav was barred from playing County cricket by BCCI last year.
“I got a County offer last season (from Gloucestershire). They wanted me to play seven games but BCCI’s workload management policy doesn’t allow me to play more than two or three games. So the deal didn’t work out. Also I had some niggles to take care of after IPL.”