Hard to get wickets and momentum on Chennai track: Umesh Yadav

India pace bowler Umesh Yadav has been bowling consistent lines in the ongoing series against England. Despite bowling with fiery pace up front, he has failed to get the numbers to show in the wickets column. He has largely been let down by some butter fingers in the slips.

On most occasions throughout the series, Umesh Yadav has been successful in creating the half chances. The fielders have failed to capitalize. Hence, it will only be unfair to conclude that the Vidarbha lad has had a poor season. In the ongoing Chennai Test, the Indian bowlers found it very difficult to get the English batsmen out.

No wonder the England team posted a huge total of 477 on the board in the first innings. Speaking at a press conference after the day 2 play, Umesh conceded that the wicket is just not like the typical Chennai surface. He mentioned that there is very little turn and hence it is tough to get the wickets, and subsequently the momentum.

“I think it is very difficult to bowl on this track because ball is not turning that much. (Un)like a typical Chennai wicket, it is a little bit different. They got some quick runs, but I think the ball is not turning that much. That is the problem, we can’t get wickets and that momentum,” quoted the Indian pacer.

Speaking about his own performance thus far, the young lad believes he is bowling to his strengths. He wants to get better with every match that he plays and add on to the existing skill sets. He clearly said that it is his pace that remains his strength.

“My strength is my pace only. I am just trying to keep learning and trying to learn where I have to bowl on particular wickets and what my strength (is). I’m trying to get better. It is all about how many matches I have played. I have kept bowling and bowling and that’s why I am getting better now,” Yadav said.

Mohammad Shami did not play in the final two Tests. It was senior bowler Ishant Sharma who made his comeback to the team. Umesh was in full praise for Ishant. He cited that having a senior bowler like him helps a lot. Ishant manages to read the wicket early and helps in determining the right lengths to bowl.

“You get that confidence. And he’ll know the wicket very quickly, what we have to do on this wicket. If he bowls just two balls, he’ll know if on this wicket there will or will not be reverse swing, what we have to bowl and our plans. Everything,” said Yadav.

Speaking about the strategy against Moeen Ali, Yadav reflected that the plan was clear. The agenda was to bowl short stuff at Moeen Ali. “This plan was already there. Yesterday, the fast bowlers didn’t bowl that much. Today we just came and we thought, talked to the captain and coaches… After some time we made a plan that we will bowl short to Moeen Ali and make sure he plays all the balls,” conceded the Vidarbha pacer.