IPL 2022: If Umesh Yadav Keeps Performing, Can't See Why He Would Not Do Well For India In T20Is - Tim Southee

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) pacer Tim Southee lavished praise on his fellow teammate, Umesh Yadav, asserting that the way the latter has been performing warrants a place in the Indian T20I side.

Umesh has been in the top 3 wicket-takers list right from the first game of IPL 2022, consistently providing breakthroughs in the powerplay for KKR. If he can keep going, there is no reason to keep him out of the Indian team, as per Southee.

“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.”

“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,” Southee was quoted as saying to PTI.

“The way the KKR has used him has been outstanding” – Tim Southee

Southee also said that the management has made sure Umesh bowls in the powerplays with the new ball, which happens to be his strength. Although he may need to improve his death bowling, for now, his effectiveness in the powerplays cannot be overlooked.

“The way the KKR has used him has been outstanding. (Head coach) Brendon (McCullum) and (captain) Shreyas Iyer have used him obviously as an attacking weapon with the new ball, maximizing his strengths with the new ball and coming back in the middle overs to try and pick up wickets to make the phase a bit easier.”

“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 the very fine Indian fast bowler,” he further added.

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