Despite making his presence felt in another clinical win against Sri Lanka with a four-wicket haul, India pace spearhead Umesh Yadav is not taking his place in India’s World Cup squad for granted.
“It is difficult to say that I am a certainty for the World Cup. I hope the selectors take a note of my performance and reward me with a regular place in the side,” Umesh said at the post-match press conference after India’s six-wicket win.
Yadav, who is the leading wicket-taker in the series so far with eight scalps, led the charge in the third match with young spinner Axar Patel, who dismissed three batsmen. India restricted the Angelo Mathews-led side to 242 all out and then clinched the match and the series in style.
The bowler though is keeping his fingers crossed for the future.
“I am focusing on every single game. Taking each game at a time. Because I know that a good performance in each game will take me that much closer to securing a World Cup berth. The decision lies in the hands of selectors, my job is to perform and make my team win,” he said.
“The wicket was good. In overcast conditions it did offer help to the bowlers and we made good use of it. Though the wicket slowed down but the carry did help the bowlers to get their seam position right,” said the 25-year-old seamer.
Showing a steady graph in the series against Sri Lanka, Umesh, who picked up 2 wickets in the first ODI and got two again at Motera, said he is learning with each passing game.
“I have been playing at the top level for quite sometime and I have learnt from my performances. I have observed myself over a period time and have learnt to vary my length according to the condition. I try and pitch it up, forcing the batsman to play. So I have worked on my grey areas,” Yadav said.
“I have also learnt to control my pace. On Sunday I bowled a touch slower but the control was there. Sometimes concentrating on pace I tend to forget the length and bowl fuller. But now I have learnt to focus on keeping a balance,” Yadav added.
