Umesh Yadav picks his ideal Indian Test XI from the current players; Pujara sidelined

Umesh Yadav is someone who has missed several chances of being the pick of the bowlers. He has been consistent in Indian conditions, however, he would like to improve his bowling record overseas. Recently, the Test match regular selected his ideal Indian Test XI from the current team. He surprised some people with some of his choices.

Talking about his ideal Test XI for the Indian team, Umesh Yadav said he would have three pacers. He revealed that he would pick any three among Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohammad Shami and himself.

“My ideal XI would consist of three of the 4 fast bowlers [Bumrah, Ishant, Shami and me]”, the Vidarbha pacer said during the Instagram live session with Sportskeeda. These four pacemen have been regular members of the Test side. However, Ishant, Bumrah and Shami have been the first choices for the Indian captain.

KL Rahul, in my opinion, should come back into the side: Umesh Yadav

The right-arm seamer backed KL Rahul as the opening partner of Mayank Agarwal. He clarified that he wants the Karnataka batsman to make a come back in the side. “Mayank Agarwal, KL Rahul, in my opinion, should come back into the side”, the pacer said.

However, what was surprising was Umesh didn’t select Chesteshwar Pujara for the No.3. Instead of the seasoned campaigner, the fast-bowler went with Rohit Sharma at that spot. In recent times, Sharma has opened in Test matches and scored heavily in the format. Followed by the Mumbai batsman, there was the captain Virat Kohli and his deputy, Ajinkya Rahane. The pacer also included two spin-bowling all-rounders, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.

Talking about the wicketkeeper’s role, the seamer hesitated between Wriddhiman Saha and Rishabh Pant. He further mentioned that he feels the Bengal keeper is better. However, he also stated that he feels that Pant is quite young and has a lot of talent and can learn a lot.

“Then, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. As for the wicketkeeper, it is very tough to choose between Wriddhiman Saha and Rishabh Pant. But, as a wicketkeeper, there is no doubt that Saha is better. Pant is still young and he has a lot to learn but he has the talent,” Umesh Yadav elaborated.

Umesh Yadav’s idea Indian Test XI: Mayank Agarwal, KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravi Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah