Team India fast bowler Umesh Yadav rang a few eyeballs when he ruled himself out of contention for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2020 in Australia. The fast bowler from Vidarbha has been in and out of the Test team in recent times and has failed to grab many opportunities.
In the presence of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Ishant Sharma in red-ball format, Umesh has found it difficult to sneak into the playing XI. He played the second Test against New Zealand in place of injured Ishant Sharma but struggled to make the most of the opportunity. And now the fast bowler has picked an ideal Indian Test XI including current players.
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Revealing his ideal XI, Umesh Yadav picked three pacers. He said it can be any three among Bumrah, Ishant, Shami and himself. They have been regular in the longest format and has played significant roles in India’s dominance across the globe.
“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,” Umesh added.
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For the opening slot, Umesh Yadav backed KL Rahul as Mayank Agarwal’s partner. The fast bowler wants the Karnataka superstar to make a comeback in the side and pair Mayank, who has done exceedingly well in limited opportunities. Meanwhile, surprisingly, Umesh snubbed Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara and instead went for Rohit Sharma for the No. 3 position.
Going ahead, the 32-year-old picked Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane in the middle-order and also went in two spinners – Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. However, Umesh Yadav seemed confused between Wriddhiman Saha and Rishabh Pant but later settled for the Bengal gloveman.
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“Mayank Agarwal, KL Rahul, in my opinion, should come back into the side. 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 wrapped up.
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