In 40 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), Umesh has taken 49 wickets at an average of 36.93 © Getty Images
In 40 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), Umesh has taken 49 wickets at an average of 36.93 © Getty Images

Umesh Yadav could find himself in the spotlight during the ICC World Cup 2015 with some of India’s pacers struggling with injury problems. The pacer is a genuine wicket-taker and his speed is a major asset on Australian tracks, but his tendency to spray it around and concede runs is worrying. Nishad Pai Vaidya writes about Umesh’s prospects ahead of the big event Down Under.

If there is anyone who embodies the enigmatic nature of the Indian bowling attack, it is Umesh Yadav. On his day, he can run through an opposition and trouble them with his pace. But, his tendency to spray it around can prove expensive as the batsmen only need to work it around using the speed against him. However, Umesh is a genuine wicket-taker and can be an asset on quick Australian tracks that may aid his breed of bowling. It is only a matter of him finding consistency.

The Vidarbha fast bowler hasn’t been a perpetual fixture in the Indian one-day side despite a few encouraging performances. Back in 2013, he formed a potent partnership with Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ishant Sharma during the Champions Trophy in England. The great thing about that attack was that each bowler added a different dimension to the bowling. Bhuvneshwar brought in an element of movement, Ishant would rely on seam at a decent pace, and Umesh was the fastest of the trio. Ahead of the ICC World Cup 2015, India find themselves with a similar pack.

There are a few differences though. Instead of Ishant, Mohammed Shami has cemented his spot in the Indian team. He will be the spearhead of the attack coming on the back of a successful 2014 in one-day cricket. Umesh will now compete with Ishant for the third seamer’s spot in the eleven. It may not be the easiest decision to make as both are erratic but effective when they get it right. Perhaps Umesh’s extra pace may help him trump Ishant in the race.

But, injury worries also hang over the Indians ahead of the big event. Ishant has not yet fully recovered and Mohit Sharma could be considered. There is also a small cloud of uncertainty over Bhuvneshwar. Hence, Dhawal Kulkarni has stayed on with the team for the warm-ups. India will wait nervously for them to regain full fitness. In case they do not, Umesh may find himself in the thick of things and India will expect a lot more from him.

If India lose either or both of Bhuvneshwar or Ishant, Umesh becomes all the more important. He will then have to support Shami and become one of the strike bowlers in the side. Umesh will have to do a lot better than he has done in one-day cricket. While he will have to attack the batsmen, he will also have to find a balance and restrict the flow of runs.

In 40 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), Umesh has taken 49 wickets at an average of 36.93, with an economy rate of 5.90. If India are to depend on him during the World Cup, he will have to do a lot better than that. His talent is unquestionable and it is only a matter of him finding consistency.

(Nishad Pai Vaidya is a Correspondent with CricketCountry and anchor for the site’s YouTube Channel. His Twitter handle is @nishad_45)