Virat Kohli-led Team India are all set to take on New Zealand in the inaugural edition of the ICC World Test Championship Final from June 18. While the Kiwis have been playing two-match Test series against England, India will take on the host in a five-match Test series after the WTC final. Meanwhile, India pacer Umesh Yadav has recently given insight into the senior-junior bond in the Indian team.
In an interview with Times Of India, Umesh Yadav said: “It’s difficult. I got injured after the second Test in Australia. That was a big opportunity for me when the rest of the senior bowlers were not available. If I could do well in that situation, it would have been a big boost like it has done to the young boys who played in Australia.”
“There was plenty of cricket after that. I didn’t get to play the Tests against England at home. I didn’t get matches in the IPL as well. It’s difficult to make a comeback after injury when you don’t play many games. But I am putting in a lot of hard work in my training and I am feeling much better. I don’t feel that I was injured. I am bowling well in the nets. I try to not think that I have not got many matches. I don’t feel I have missed much,” he further added.
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However, the speedster has been out of action for some time due to his injury. And, in his absence, youngsters like Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur has excelled in that format. Meanwhile, he has returned and ready to showcase his class in the upcoming six Tests in England as well.
“I was raw when I made my debut. I didn’t understand the wear and tear that my body was going through. As you keep playing, you understand when the body is enduring load and the muscles are tiring. In the last 10 years, I realized that the body will go through wear and tear if you play all formats. We have learned to understand and take care of our bodies. And when you play a lot of cricket it takes a toll both physically and mentally. That’s why workload management is important to relax your mind. It’s important to rest a fast bowler at the right time,” Umesh Yadav again shared.
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“I know a lot of fast bowlers are coming through the ranks. I have been playing for 10 years. I don’t see it as pressure. I see it as healthy competition. When you play with youngsters, they are motivated to perform better than the seniors. We must also ensure we match their standards when it comes to fitness and skills. The seniors and youngsters learn from each other. You need to have good thoughts,” Umesh Yadav concluded.
