Kolkata Knight Riders bowler Tim Southee thinks that his teammate Umesh Yadav will do well for the Indian cricket team. Umesh almost went unsold in the IPL 2022 mega auction, and was picked up by KKR for a base price of Rs 2 crore.
The right-arm pacer was released by Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2021, and picked up by Delhi Capitals for Rs 1 crore. The 34-year-old has taken 10 wickets with an impressive economy rate of 6.60 in 5 matches for KKR, which is the 2nd highest in the tournament so far, and is just one behind MI bowler Yuzvendra Chahal with 11. Umesh (62) has the highest number of dot balls as well.
Umesh Yadav’s spell (4-23) in KKR’s win against Punjab Kings at the Wankhede Stadium has been the best this season so far. Umesh ended that game taking 4 wickets, including a double wicket maiden, dismissing Harpreet Brar and Rahul Chahar in the process.
KKR bowler Tim Southee, who was teammates with Umesh during their time at RCB, was all praise for the right arm pacer, saying that he was fortunate enough to play alongside him.
”I’m a fan of Umesh, he is a tremendous bowler. I was fortunate enough to share the new ball with him a few times when we both played at RCB,” Southee said in an interview to PTI.
With the T20 World Cup in Australia around the corner, a lot of players are using IPL 2022 to try to get into their national team. Tim Southee said that Umesh Yadav could do well for the Indian team given his current performances.
“The way he’s been managed suits Umesh’s style of bowling. If he keeps performing the way he’s been doing I can’t see why he would not do well for India in T20 cricket,” he said.
Umesh Yadav has been instrumental for KKR during the powerplay, taking down the opposition’s top order early on. He was a part of the KKR team that won the IPL trophy back in 2014.
”He’s had a strong start to the tournament. To open the bowling with some of the great bowlers, and someone who you don’t usually get to deal with, that’s the beauty of this tournament. You are able to open the bowling with a very fine Indian fast bowler,’ Southee said.
SOUTHREE PRAISES KKR TRIO
Tim Southee was all praise for KKR bowling trio Pat Cummins, Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy.
”It’s really exciting. You look at the experience and the pace that the three have and then we throw in the exciting talents of the young Indian bowlers who we have in our side. On top of that, you have got two of the great mystery spinners of the game, so I think as a bowling attack that covers all the bases,” he said.
”It’s great to be a part of such a great lineup. You got the experience of Sunil Narine, Pat and Umesh and then throw in some exciting young Indian talents. It’s great to be around.”
KKR bowler Rasikh Salam made his debut against his former team, Mumbai Indians, and bowled well against MI openers Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan, giving away just 18 runs in his 3 overs. Tim Southee praised the debutant’s skills and his ability to swing the ball.
”Rasikh Salam, who played his first game the other day, is just a very skilful bowler and can swing the ball both ways. Then there’s Ashok (Sharma).”
”It’s always an eye-opener when you come to India and see these talented young Indian guys. They are asking some tough questions which are great to see,” Southee concluded.
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