IND vs BAN: "Umesh Yadav Is Extremely Underrated, He Does The Job For His Captain Quietly And Those Numbers Are Very Impressive" - Ajit Agarkar 

India beat Bangladesh by 188 runs in the first Test of the two-match series at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on Sunday, December 18. Bangladesh were bowled out for 324 in reply to a massive 513-run target set by India. Axar Patel took four wickets in the second innings, while Kuldeep Yadav took three. Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, and R Ashwin took one wicket each.

Umesh Yadav took 1/27 in 15 overs for Bangladesh in the second innings of the first test in Chattogram. He broke Najmul Hossain Shanto and Zakir Hasan’s 124-run first-wicket stand. Zakir made a century on his debut, smashing 100 runs off 224 balls with 13 fours and a six. Umesh looked lethal with the second new ball, giving stiff competition to Mushfiqur Rahim.

IPL 2023 Auction | IND vs BAN 2022 | India vs Bangladesh 2022 | India National Cricket Team | IND vs SL 2023 | India vs Sri Lanka 2023 | IND vs NZ 2023 | India vs New Zealand 2023

Umesh Yadav Is Unfairly Criticized At Times – Ajit Agarkar 

During a discussion on Sony Sports, former Indian pacer Ajit Agarkar stated that the Vidharbha speedster should be proud of his record in Asian conditions, where wickets are more suitable for spinners and do not provide much assistance to pacers. Umesh Yadav has the best strike rate among Indian pacers, with at least 100 wickets in Asia.

“Umesh Yadav is unfairly criticized at times. His pace has not gone down much even after so many years. It shows he is extremely underrated, he does the job for his captain quietly. Those numbers are very impressive,” Agarkar told Sony Sports.

“He should feel extremely proud because the conditions are very difficult in the subcontinent or Asia for fast bowlers. It is good that he takes wickets quickly because the ball does not remain in your hand for too long when you play in Asia. The spinners are always ready to take the ball because the conditions are more favorable for spin,” he added.

The 35-year-old played 37 Test matches in Asia and took 111 wickets at an impressive strike rate of 49.4. Only Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar, and Imran Khan have a better strike rate than Umesh among pacers who have taken at least 100 wickets in Asian conditions.

Umesh Yadav Has Been Outstanding Throughout His Career – Ajay Jadeja

During the same discussion, former India batsman Ajay Jadeja hailed Umesh Yadav as a rare bowler and highlighted his massive achievement. Jadeja also praised the right-arm seamer for his spell on Saturday.

“There is no doubt that Umesh Yadav has been outstanding throughout his career. He would be a rare fast bowler, who has had such a long career for India but has played most of his matches in the subcontinent,” Jadeja said.

“He has got very few opportunities when there is seam and swing, when everyone else is playing. He was outstanding today. He showed everything you expect from an experienced bowler – discipline and control,” he added.

Also read: IPL 2023: “Kolkata Will Focus On Just Filling The Remaining Slots With The INR 7 Crores That They Have Remaining” – Aakash Chopra

Virat Kohli | Rohit Sharma | Rishabh Pant | KL Rahul | Suryakumar Yadav | Sanju Samson | Shreyas Iyer | Yuzvendra Chahal | Jasprit Bumrah