Umesh Yadav: 'Want to play for India in all three formats'

Umesh has featured in only one of India's 22 ODIs since August 2017, while he played his only T20I in 2012.

Umesh Yadav is undeniably quick but his accuracy (or lack of it) in limited-overs cricket has often been criticized.

Umesh Yadav has spoken of his desire to represent India in all three formats of the game after a match-winning performance against Kings XI Punjab here on Friday.

The fast-bowler struck three times in his second over to break the back of the Punjab innings, eventually finishing with figures of three for 23 as Royal Challengers Bangalore won by four wickets.

“The tag has been put that I bowl well in Tests because in Tests you have time; if the ball is swinging and reverse-swinging and you have that talent, [you can do well],” he told the IPL website after the game.

“Old or new, the red ball swings more in general. But it's not that I don't like the white ball. As a fast bowler, I want to play for India in all three formats. I like that. I have age on my side. I have that ability in me.”

Umesh has featured in only one of India's 22 ODIs since August 2017, while he played his only T20I in 2012. The Vidarbha bowler is undeniably quick but his accuracy (or lack of it) in limited-overs cricket has often been criticized.

His two displays for RCB, though, have been hugely impressive (two for 27 vs. KKR in Kolkata). “Red or white, if I bowl the same way in all three formats, I'll have [success],” he said. “Because in all three formats you bowl the same length with the new ball.”

The 30-year-old hailed the impact of RCB's bowling coach, Ashish Nehra. “He told me: 'You are a 140-plus bowler. Try to bowl on the stumps. If you do that, you will get wickets. If someone hits you straight for six, it's fine by me.' Since our camp started, that is what he has made me work on,” said Umesh.