Surprised To See That Umesh Yadav Hardly Gets A Chance To Bowl: Nikhil Chopra

Former Indian spinner Nikhil Chopra pointed out that Indian pacer Umesh Yadav is nothing but a backup option for India in Test cricket.

On Wednesday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India announced an 18-member Test squad for the South Africa tour. Umesh was included along with Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma in India’s pace battery.

Umesh Yadav picked two wickets in New Zealand Test series

Umesh played both the Test matches against New Zealand and returned with a couple of wickets in a series where he bowled 30 and 10 overs in both games.

In the last three years Umesh has just played a total of 10 Test matches as India prefer Shami and Bumrah as their frontline pacers.

During the England Test series (away), Umesh was part of the squad but played just one match in Kia Oval, where he scalped six wickets in both the innings.

Umesh had cleaned England skipper Joe Root’s stumps as he was difficult to deal with by other bowlers in the first three games.

Umesh Yadav remains among wickets: Nikhil Chopra

Chopra feels that Umesh is not being given enough opportunities that he deserves and also said he is consistent with his bowling performance.

“Look at Umesh Yadav. When he travels overseas, he does not get a chance. In India, when he generates reverse swing and take 3-4 wickets, Umesh remains among wickets,” Chopra said on YouTube channel DeshNeeti.

“Otherwise, for the last few years, I am very surprised to see that Umesh Yadav hardly gets a chance to bowl. He must be saying ‘you aren’t giving me chances either at home or overseas. You are just taking me along on tours,” he added.

India will play three Tests and as many ODI matches against South Africa with the tour starting on December 26.

Also Read: IND vs NZ 2021: Watch – Umesh Yadav Strikes On The Stroke Of Lunch By Dismissing Kane Williamson