RCB vs KKR: Umesh Yadav Has Been Simply Outstanding, We See Him As Huge Asset - Brendon McCullum

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) head coach Brendon McCullum lavished praise on pace bowler Umesh Yadav’s performance in the first two games of IPL 2022. After making his comeback in the IPL after less than two years, Umesh is impressing everyone with his drastic change with the new ball.

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The 34-year-old pacer has picked four wickets in two games so far in IPL 2022 at an economy rate of 4.50. Umesh picked all four wickets in the early overs, he got the CSK openers Rutuaraj Gaikwad and Devon Conway inside five overs.

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On Wednesday, Umesh bowled a similar spell against RCB where he got opener Anuj Rawat and Virat Kohli nick behind the stumps with short of length and back of length deliveries respectively to reduce them to 17/3 at one stage which delayed their chase. The Vidarbha pacer finished his spell with 2/16 from four overs.

I was lucky enough to play with Umesh Yadav when I was still playing: Brendon McCullum

Mccullum, who played with Umesh at RCB in IPL 2018, said the Indian pacer was outstanding with his bowling in the last two games and the team couldn’t demand anything more from him.

“Umesh Yadav has been simply outstanding. I was lucky enough to play with Umesh when I was still playing the game back then and I knew how good a bloke he was and how much of a talent he was, especially with the new ball if there was assistance,” McCullum said in the post-match press conference. 

“His brief is very much to try and take wickets for us. If he goes for a few runs, we don’t care, we just want to have the attacking mentality. In two games, he has done more than we could have asked for. 

“I know he is closer to the end of his career. But he is still incredibly fit, very very driven and we see him as a huge asset for us, especially in the early stages of the tournament when the ball is still swinging and seaming,” McCullum added.

KKR lost to RCB by three wickets after they held Faf du Plessis and his men for the most part of their chase. The Shreyas Iyer-led side will next play against Punjab Kings on Friday (April 1) at the Wankhede stadium.

Also Read: CSK vs KKR: Umesh Yadav Achieves A Unique Feat In The IPL 2022 Season Opener