2 reasons why Umesh Yadav should play against England in the upcoming Test series

In the World Test Championship final, Indian pace bowlers did not perform well. The bowling conditions during the title match favored pace bowlers but they could not use it to their advantage.

The main problem was that Indian pacers were unable to swing the ball enough. Mohammed Shami was the only pacer who could swing the ball properly. But the other two pacers Ishant Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah could not get any swing throughout the match.

In English conditions, swinging the ball is the biggest weapon for a pace bowler. But most Indian fast bowlers are better at hitting the deck and seaming the ball rather than swinging it in the air. The absence of good swing bowlers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar could affect the team's performance in the upcoming Test series.

At present, India has 6 pacers available in the squad. The team management would have to choose wisely the three or four pacers for the playing XI. It is important to choose players based on the conditions rather than just statistics. If the management chooses the players based on the playing conditions then Umesh Yadav should come under consideration.

Umesh Yadav can swing the new ball

In the 20 member squad that has been selected to tour England, Umesh Yadav is the only good swing bowler. He has a good record of outswing deliveries which could prove lethal in the swing-friendly English conditions. His outswingers are ideal for getting batsmen to edge the ball behind if they try to play it on the front foot. Yadav has also proved successful against left-handed batsmen. He often traps them in front by bringing the ball back in.

Pacers like Ishant Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah have struggled to bowl similar deliveries as they do not have a good outswinger like Yadav. Thereby, Yadav would be a good option with the new ball against England. He can pick up some early wickets to set the pace for his fellow bowlers.

The good form of Umesh Yadav

Over the last two years, Umesh Yadav has been in good form in Test matches. He is not a regular player for the Indian team but he has stepped up whenever he was given the opportunity.

In the inaugural World Test Championship league phase, Yadav has played only seven matches. But he took 29 wickets at an average of 18.55 in those matches. It proves that Yadav is always ready to step up for his team and he is always up for the challenge.

Based on his good form and ability to deliver, Yadav should get considered to play if either Ishant or Bumrah is dropped in the Test against England.

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