Steyn impressed with Yadav and Ishant

South Africa paceman Dale Steyn has found himself impressed by India's pace contingent in recent months, and was especially enamoured with Umesh Yadav, who Steyn says is similar to him in many ways.

Umesh, who will be playing for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, and Steyn for the Sunrisers Hyderabad, took 18 wickets at the World Cup and was integral to his side reaching the final. Steyn enjoys watching such impressive pace bowling.

Steyn told PTI: "I have been a big fan of Yadav. I am a fast bowler, I really like fast bowlers. Umesh Yadav has got a very similar kind of physique as myself.

"We are both quite short, we are similar in height. He is stronger than I am and he has got a strong action and swings the ball.

"As the years go on, Umesh is going to be one of those guys that you can look up to. He can be a really, really good Test bowler too. He has got the action to land the ball in the right areas. Swing the ball away at high pace."

Steyn also had praise for SRH team-mate Ishant Sharma, who has struggled with injuries: "That's a life of a fast bowler. Sometimes it (injuries) just happens. Fast bowling is not a natural thing.

"Ishant has struggled with a few injuries. But when he is injury free he is a freak of a bowler. He can do some amazing things with a cricket ball.

"He is tall, he has got good pace, he hits the deck, he has got a slightly different action so he brings the ball in with his wrist. He has all things that can add up to be a very good fast bowler.

"He just needs to spend some more time on the cricket field. And that's how the body is some guys struggle with injuries while others are injury free. And I think he understands that, he appreciates that.

"When he is on the field you can expect good things from him."