“There should be something for both batters and bowlers even in a T20 game”: Umesh Yadav
Team India pacer Umesh Yadav feels there should be a balance between the batters and bowlers even in a T20 game. Matches in the ongoing IPL 2026 has seen 250 plus scores being chased comfortably. According to Umesh, Rajasthan Royals, Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants pace attack looked the most impressive this season so far. The veteran pacer picked Prince Yadav and Ashok Sharma as the two stand-out pacers in this edition of IPL. Umesh, who went unsold in the mini auction blamed the state coach and selectors for creating a narrative about his fitness. In this exclusive interaction with RevSportz, the fast bowler from Vidarbha opened up about his fitness, pacers who have been most impressive so far in IPL 2026, Jasprit Bumrah’s lack of wickets for Mumbai Indians, inexperienced bowling attack of KKR and more. Here are the excerpts:
Q: Talking about the pitches in IPL 2026, 250 plus scores are being chased easily?
Umesh Yadav: I look at it this way. Batters have developed innovative shots—like the lap, reverse, and many others. They step out, create angles, and constantly experiment. So as a bowler, you also have to think creatively and stay ahead. Nowadays, bowlers are under pressure, but they must figure out ways to counter these challenges. You need to analyse yourself—what you’re doing right, what’s going wrong, and how to improve. When we see teams easily chasing 250–260, it may feel like bowlers are losing their impact. But that’s not entirely true. Pitches are often flat, and conditions sometimes favour batters.
In the nets, bowlers feel relaxed and execute well. But in matches, pressure, crowd, and game situations affect confidence and body language. After conceding a boundary, doubt creeps in. That’s why mindset matters. Even if you’re going for runs, think positively. Instead of worrying about conceding 40 runs, focus on taking wickets. From a viewer’s perspective, both high-scoring thrillers and low-scoring, tense matches are enjoyable. If 250 plus scores are chased easily, it does raises questions. Balance is important—there should be something for both batters and bowlers even in a T20 game. As a bowler, you must evaluate yourself honestly: Did you follow your plan? How many bad balls did you bowl? Reducing the percentage of bad deliveries is crucial. Even a good ball can be hit for runs—that’s part of the game. But consistently bowling poor deliveries will always hurt you. Confidence and body language also play a huge role. If you look defeated after conceding runs, the batter gains control immediately. Instead, focus on the next ball—because that’s what matters most. A bowler has 24 balls in a T20 spell, while a batter needs just one to get out.
Q: Who are the pacers who has impressed so far in this IPL?
Umesh Yadav: One player who has really stood out for me is Prince Yadav. He hasn’t played much high-level cricket yet, and this is only his second year. His first season was average, but this year you can clearly see his hard work. He is taking wickets, bowling in the powerplay and at the death, and showing great accuracy and smartness. He has developed variations like yorkers, slower balls, and swing. This reflects the effort he has put in during practice. As a bowler, repetition is key—you need to keep practicing consistently to improve. Another pacer is Ashok Sharma who has shown he has raw pace, which is impressive. But with high pace comes the challenge of control. If line and length are not accurate, you can concede many runs. So, accuracy is very important.
Q: Do you reckon Mohsin Khan should be given a chance to play for India if he stays fit?
Umesh Yadav: He is a talented bowler, but you can’t make immediate decisions about national selection based on just a couple of matches. Fitness is a major concern for him. He often plays a few matches and then gets injured, missing entire seasons. Selectors look for consistency—how much cricket you’ve played and how your body holds up. To be considered for higher levels, he needs to play full domestic seasons—Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare, and Syed Mushtaq Ali—and perform consistently. Only then can he progress to India A and eventually the national team.
Q: Mid-way into the IPL 2026 which teams fast bowling attack has been the most impressive?
Umesh Yadav: The fast-bowling attacks of Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Titans have impressed me the most. They have both pace and swing, and they know how to use the new ball effectively during the powerplay. You can clearly see that they focus on taking wickets early, which puts pressure on the batting side. After them, I would place Lucknow’s bowling attack. These three teams—RR, GT, and LSG—have fast bowlers who believe they can get wickets in the powerplay. Their pace, swing, and aggressive mindset stand out. They bowl with confidence and intent, and even the batsmen feel that a small mistake could cost them their wicket. Overall, these teams are making the best use of the new ball. In contrast, some other teams are struggling in the powerplay. They are inconsistent in taking wickets, which allows the batting side to settle in and play freely. If you don’t take wickets early, the batting team gains a clear advantage and can go on to post big scores.
KKR seems struggling in their bowling department because of the absence of Harshit?
Umesh Yadav: Harshit Rana was a key factor for Kolkata Knight Riders last couple of seasons. He performed consistently as a frontline bowler, contributing both with the new ball and in the death overs. At present, KKR’s biggest issue is the lack of wickets in the powerplay. When early breakthroughs don’t come, it becomes harder for the rest of the bowling unit. In such situations, the opposition batters get set, which reduces the effectiveness of spinners like Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy. While Narine has been consistent, Varun Chakravarthy had a slow start to the season. The pace attack lacks experience. Vaibhav Arora has been given significant responsibility, bowling both in the powerplay and at the death. Kartik Tyagi has also been inconsistent, occasionally losing control with deliveries like full tosses or inaccurate variations. Overall, KKR’s bowling unit appears inexperienced, and the absence of a reliable bowler like Harshit Rana has been felt. Although the spin department is improving, it hasn’t been consistently effective. Now, the question is whether Matheesha Pathirana can solve these issues if he becomes available. His impact will depend largely on how he is utilized—whether in the powerplay, middle overs, or at the death. Proper role clarity will be crucial to maximizing his effectiveness.
Q: Do you think Mumbai Indians lacklustre show is because of Jasprit Bumrah not being at his best?
Umesh Yadav: Relying on a single bowler is never the right approach in cricket—it’s a team game. Matches aren’t won or lost because of one player alone; success usually depends on the combined performance of at least 3–4 players. In the case of Jasprit Bumrah, there’s often an expectation that he will do everything. But opposition teams plan carefully—if they play him like any other bowler and avoid giving away wickets, his impact can be reduced. Even the best bowlers have off deliveries; it’s unrealistic to expect perfection every time. If wickets don’t come in the powerplay or pressure isn’t built in the death overs, it affects the overall outcome. Looking at Mumbai Indians, the issue isn’t just about bowling. The team has been going through frequent changes and hasn’t found a stable combination. While there are concerns in the bowling unit, batting has also been inconsistent. If one batter performs, others often fail to support, which makes chasing big totals—like 200 runs—difficult. Mumbai Indians are a successful franchise with five titles, largely built on strong batting performances. That’s why it’s important to recognize that both batting and bowling need to click together. Ultimately, cricket is a collective effort—no single player, not even someone as skilled as Bumrah, can win matches alone.
Q: What are your thoughts about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the way he has batted against Bumrah, Hazzlewood and others?
Umesh Yadav: Self-belief is the core of his (Vaibhav) batting, shaping both his approach and execution at the crease. He is particularly strong against length deliveries and has developed the ability to dominate the mid-on to mid-wicket region with authority. His sound technique, impressive bat speed, and solid base enable him to generate remarkable power, making big shots look effortless. Considering he is only 15, his natural physical energy further enhances this ability. What stands out just as much as his skill is his balance, stance, and overall stability, which provide a strong foundation for consistent performance. More importantly, his mindset reflects clarity and intent—he knows the kind of player he wants to become and the style required to succeed. This confidence is reinforced by rigorous and purposeful practice. What is impressive is he remains unfazed by the reputation of the bowler.
Q: Are you missing the action and how disappointing was it for you to see getting unsold in IPL auction?
Umesh Yadav: The reason I am out of action is due to injury. I had an Achilles tendon injury, which took almost a year for me to recover and start bowling again. I tried my best to recover quickly, but this kind of injury requires full time because it can recur. About 50% of my Achilles tendon was ruptured. I underwent surgery in England and then completed my rehabilitation. After that, I started playing T20 matches for Vidarbha and managed to play three Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy matches before the auction.
However, there were perceptions among people that I hadn’t played the full tournament or enough matches, so I might not be fully fit. Those thoughts stayed in people’s minds. One of my matches against Mumbai didn’t go well, and overall, I only played three matches without completing a full game. This created an impression that I was not fit. This misconception affected how franchises viewed me. People assumed I wasn’t fit without knowing the full story. I just want to say that people should focus on what is actually happening instead of believing everything they hear. If I didn’t want to play cricket, I would have said so myself. But I know there is still a lot of cricket left in me. Yes, it is disappointing after so many years to suddenly be out of the IPL and watch from the outside, but that’s part of cricket.
Q: Were you communicated that you will not be part of selection?
Umesh Yadav: I did not receive proper communication from the selectors or coach when I returned after my injury. During recovery, I suffered a setback due to a calf-related issue caused by a sudden increase in bowling workload, which delayed my comeback by a month. Before the T20 tournament (SMAT), I had clearly informed the selectors and coach that I would need 2–4 matches to regain rhythm, and this was acknowledged. I played the first few matches and improved with each game, but then the Vidarbha coach created an environment suggesting I was still unfit. As the only senior player in a young Vidarbha team, it felt like this narrative was deliberate. After just two matches, I was told to step aside for younger players. I requested 4–5 matches to prove myself, but was denied. I was later asked to play a practice match before one-day selections, only to be dropped without proper explanation. If the decision was already made, it should have been communicated earlier. This treatment was disappointing and disrespectful, considering my years with the team.
Q: Do you think Shami, the way he has played in recent times should be given a chance?
Umesh Yadav: Shami is currently bowling at around 140 km/h and getting good swing. If he continues to perform at that level, then he definitely deserves an opportunity. When a player proves himself through performance, especially after consistent efforts, he should be considered for selection. Domestic cricketers play long, demanding seasons and many matches back-to-back. If they are performing well under those conditions, they should be given a fair chance—whether it’s Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, or anyone else. You can’t suddenly write off a player and say their time is over. Selection should be based on performance and fitness. If a bowler plays an entire Ranji Trophy season, performs consistently, and takes wickets, then he has earned the right to be considered. Whatever opportunities come his way, he should be given a fair shot.
Q: How do you assess the current Indian pace attack?
Umesh Yadav: Bumrah and Siraj have played a lot of cricket, so they understand what needs to be done and how to do it. Prasidh Krishna has also been part of the team for quite some time, and Aakash Deep has been around as well, although he has struggled with injuries and hasn’t had a consistent run. That said, it’s important to build mental strength and think ahead. You can’t rely on just one or two bowlers; the entire bowling attack needs to be prepared and ready. The focus should be on strengthening the mindset, making smart decisions, and continuing to develop both new and experienced players. Keep moving forward and stay mentally strong.
Q: Do you have any regrets in your career so far?
Umesh Yadav: Yes, a little—sometimes I do feel that way. I think I could have done a bit better, but the effort is still ongoing. Whenever there’s an opportunity, I’ll keep working on it. That’s the nature of sport—you’re always learning. Every day, something or someone teaches you, whether they’re older or younger than you. The learning never stops. As long as I continue to play cricket, I’ll keep thinking, improving, and growing.
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