Umesh Yadav is fast and can move quickly: Robin Singh

Former Indian all-rounder and bowling coach Robin Singh has picked Umesh Yadav as one of the better fielders in the Indian team at the moment. Speaking about the general fielding standards, the 52-year old picked AB de Villiers as perhaps the best fielder in the world at the moment whilst rating Yadav as the best fielder among the bowlers in the Indian team.

Robin was a part of the Indian cricket team’s coaching staff in the fielding coach capacity. However, he was dismissed when the BCCI and the Indian team went through a complete overhaul.  “AB de Villiers is the best for me when he is fit. Amongst the Indian bowlers, I like Umesh Yadav. He is fast and can move quickly. He has a low center of gravity and a good arm as well,” he told in an interview to Sportstar.

The 52-year old also went on to praise the fielding standards of the current Indian team. He also added that the emphasis on the fitness of the side has gone on to help immensely. “The Indian team today is on par with the South Africans and Australians. Most of the guys are in their 20s and if you can’t field in your 20s then you can never field. Emphasis on fitness has also helped. You have to be fearless to be a good fielder and you can learn that between the age of 13 and 19. You should not be scared of diving or get hurt. Also to be a top fielder, I feel you need to be a good athlete.

“Fielding has gained importance over the years. Today if you can’t field, you can’t get into the team. You have to be really exceptional to get into the team on the basis of your batting or bowling. People expect you to be a good fielder these days,” he added.

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“T20 is not just about a strong team. It’s about people playing together and understanding the roles they can play. How quickly they can incline with my methodology is also important for me as a coach. For me, my team has to play to win. You can’t have any friends while you’re playing,” he said.

Singh was also in favor of putting keeping CPL and other domestic tournaments during tours on hold. “India put up the Test matches when CPL was on. Even the Big Bash (Australia’s domestic T20 competition) goes on during Australia’s Test season but no one criticizes them. The IPL already has a period of two months where everything is in place, all the players are available. So you can’t blame another board or association for trying to make money. WICB knew fully well when the CPL was on. It is the fault of West Indies board and the Indian board (BCCI) for putting the matches when the CPL was on.

“When you know there is a tournament, you should try your best to avoid another series so that best players are available and I can assure you if you pick the players, they will play for their countries.

“Jason Holder, the West Indies captain, was part of our team (Barbados Tridents) and picked up a slight injury, we rested him because we wanted him fit for West Indies,” Singh concluded.

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