Pacer Umesh Yadav has been included as a replacement for Mohammed Shami in the Indian squad for the T20I series against Australia. The latter was ruled out on September 17 after testing positive for Covid-19. Indian captain Rohit Sharma has now clarified Yadav’s inclusion in the team in a press conference ahead of the series opener on 20th September.
Reacting to a question regarding Yadav’s inclusion in the team over other youngsters, Sharma said, “Prasidh is injured, Siraj is playing county, Avesh is sick – so Umesh was called in, he bowled so well in the Indian T20 League, we understand his quality which he can bring in the team.”
Yadav had a great outing for the Kolkata franchise, earlier, this year in the Indian T20 League. He bagged 16 scalps in 12 matches at an average of 21.19 and a brilliant economy of 7.06. The seamer last played a T20I for India way back in February 2019 against Australia in Visakhapatnam.
The 34-year-old has represented India in seven T20Is where he has picked up nine wickets at an average of 24 and an economy of 8.76. In his 12-year-long career, Yadav has only played seven matches in the format due to his habit of leaking runs in limited-overs cricket. The Vidarbha player has always been trolled for his expensive bowling spells in the Indian T20 League.
Having made a great comeback in the cash-rich league this year, Yadav will look to grab the opportunity presented to him and shut his critics with his performance. On the other hand, Mohammed Shami was recalled to the Indian team. He played his last T20I in the 20-20 World Cup last year.
Mohammed Shami’s inclusion was a surprise for the fans
The Indian Cricket Board had, earlier, informed Shami that he will not be considered for T20Is going further. However, his inclusion as the backup player for the 20-20 World Cup this year surprised many. Shami also had a great time with the ball in the Indian T20 league this year as he finished in the top wicket-takers of the tournament.
He picked up 20 wickets in 16 matches at an average of 24 and an economy of eight. Shami will most probably recover in a few weeks and will fly to Australia for the mega tournament.
