The Indian team looks poised to clinch the second Test against England in Vizag after having set a target of 399 for the visitors. Ben Stokes & Co. started the chase on a positive note and scored 67/1 in 14 overs, at the end of the day’s play on Sunday, giving a signal to the Indians, that they would fight to get the target, and not submit meekly.
Even James Anderson minced no words about the fact, that England is looking forward to chasing down the target on day four, with Bazball playing a crucial role once again. But whether the visitors cross the finish line & take a 2-0 lead in the series is not the debate here, but the very fact that India is missing some of the key bowlers in the series.
Of course, the lethal Jasprit Bumrah and R Ashwin are there, but perhaps there is a missing link. Maybe, Umesh Yadav? The 36-year-old is an SG ball specialist and his record speaks volumes, of what he brings to the table in the Indian conditions. Overall, in 57 Tests, he has 170 wickets to his name, at a strike rate of 52.8. These might not be the most impressive numbers the world has seen, but his India record is spectacular, to say the least.
Umesh Yadav in India
In the 32 Tests at home, Umesh has a spectacular 101 wickets, at an average of 25, and a strike rate of 48. Apart from that, he tends to bowl that good-length area, that troubles the batsmen the most. Yes, he can go for a few runs, but then that is how he creates the opportunities for wickets.
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To add to that, he has been in some exceptional red-ball form in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2024. In the four matches he has played for Vidarbha so far, he has picked 19 wickets at an average of 21, and a strike rate of 38.
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