Fast bowler Umesh Yadav is looking forward to playing Test cricket in New Zealand for the first time, if selected for next month's two-match series in Christchurch and Wellington.
Yadav has played ODI cricket in New Zealand – and 45 Tests in other parts of the world. However, he has never experienced the longest format of the international game in New Zealand.
The tall right-armer is not involved in the ongoing five-T20I series between India and New Zealand. The tourists have an unbeatable three-nil lead – and have been priced at 1.57 by Bet365 to win Friday's fourth match in Wellington.
What Umesh said
“I am eager to play red-ball cricket in New Zealand. I have performed well in recent times and I am in good touch, too. My series against Bangladesh was good, too. I am pretty positive about my selection for the New Zealand Test series. If I am selected, I am going to give my 100 percent best. I have worked a lot on my line and length. I am hoping for the best,” he told the Times of India.
If named in the squad and then the playing XI, he will likely bowl alongside fellow seamers Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah. Sharma is recovering from injury, but is expected to be fit for the Tests in New Zealand.
“I am proud to be part of this pace-bowling attack. The best part is that all for of us are able to bowl at 140 kilometres per hour or more. We are performing well and taking wickets. We all have the qualities needed to perform in any given conditions. Give us any condition and situation and we will go perform. That is what makes us stand out. Bumrah, Ishant, Shami and I enjoy each other's company. We bowl in unison. We all complement each other,” added Yadav.
“I know what their strong points are and they know mine. That's how we plan the wickets. Ishant is very close to playing his 100th Test for India. Shami and I are close to getting to our 50th Tests. With time, we have all shifted from the raw-talent category to being experienced fast bowlers. We are all determined to do something special for our country. All of us want to be the best in the world.”
