Umesh Yadav: Fast and furious

Fast bowler Umesh Yadav is a rare breed in India, with pace consistently in excess of 140 kmph and over the last five years, has been hitting the deck hard and troubling batsmen with raw speed. The 28-year-old is no mood to compromise on pace but he has evolved his bowling to bring more control.

The Nagpur-based pace bowler has taken 58 wickets in 19 Tests and 79 wickets in 57 ODIs. He has been in and out of the side especially in ODIs and wants to play as many matches he can get and bowl fast with control across all formats. He also is not shy of trying a county cricket stint as he told this paper in an exclusive interview. Excerpts:

Injuries have been a major setback to your career. Have you managed to curb them I didn’t have as many injuries as people seem to have marketed it. I had stress fracture in 2009 for the first time (which ruled him out from the IPL in South Africa). Afterwards in 2012, I was injured after the Ahmedabad Test (against England in November 2012). I don’t think I have stayed out (of the team) after that due to injury. These are all market rumours.

Did you change your action or approach to minimise injuries I moulded my action a bit after the injury in 2009. I had a high arm twisting action and made it more open (chested). My action is smooth and normal it doesn’t put too much stress on the body. During the West Indies series, I was bowling close to the crease. Anil (Kumble) told me to try it before the tour in a camp (at Bengaluru) and it was difficult for the first two-three days. Later I got better and consistent and became comfortable. Earlier people used to say I bowl on the legs from the side of the crease that percentage was cut down.

How has been it working under the combination of coach Kumble and skipper Virat Kohli The team has gelled well (under Virat). We understand each other well and support each other. Everyone takes responsibility and the atmosphere is great. Anil bhai is more focusing on Test cricket. He brings his own style of cricket, shares ideas what to do in Test matches. He has immense experience and we learn a lot from him. He makes us understand the situation and plan. I hope in coming times we become even better.

You have been playing international cricket for six years. Do you want to be regular in all formats, try a spell of County cricket During my five-year (Test) career, I have matured somewhat and understand the game situation and bowl accordingly. Whatever the team requires from me, I try to do that. My focus is to rectify mistakes, learn from bad times and improve. I regularly talk to others for improvement. I have the body, age, on my side and want to play as many matches and bowl fast as much as I can. I wanted to play County at times but have not found the time.

In all, 13 Tests will be played at home. Is it the time to be consistent As a fast bowler focus is on bowling fast with control. Pace is better for me. Sometimes a situation demands less pace. At times I get tempted to bowl in the 150s. But you can’t gain speed by just saying so, it all depends on rhythm and effort. I also want to be injury free first and the focus is to be fit. The season is long so fitness is paramount.