Yadav: Zak's advice invaluable for youngsters

India

Cricket365
November 26, 2013

India fast bowler Umesh Yadav is delighted about veteran paceman Zaheer Khan's return to the side, saying Zak's advice and influence is a boost for the young bowlers in the side as they've struggled recently.

Zaheer has not played international cricket this year, and last played a Test in December 2012, but was named in the Test and ODI squads for the tour to South Africa, where he has played many times and will know the conditions well.

Yadav said: "Zaheer has had a great influence on youngsters with his ability to guide us through the bump and grind of international cricket. I have got a lot of valuable tips on fast bowling and there is no better exponent of reverse swing than Zak.

"He is like mentor to us and it is an honour to play international cricket alongside him. Zaheer's advice in match situations are invaluable as he is a brilliant reader of opposition batsmen."

Yadav went on to say that he was personally delighted to be named in both the Test and ODI squads, having not expected a call for the shorter format given he'd been dropped earlier in the year due to poor form and some technical issues.

He explained: "I had a gut feeling that I will be selected for the Test series but I had kept my fingers crossed for the ODIs. I am really happy that selectors have shown faith in me by giving me a chance in the ODI squad as well.
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"Since I have the pace, my bowling is suited to conditions where the pitches offer pace and bounce. I have also played in places like Durban in the Champions League T20 for Delhi Daredevils. So, I have the experience of bowling in South Africa.

"I have no complaints about being dropped from the squad. If I am honest to myself, I wasn't really bowling well during the Challenger Series and it was a fair enough decision. There were certain chinks in my bowling and I needed to take corrective measures.

"For a fast bowler, the crucial aspect is one's non-bowling arm. After speaking to the coaches, I realised that the position of my left arm during my delivery stride is posing a problem. The left arm should remain firm and straight.

"The moment it wavers, the length of the delivery gets disturbed. That's what was happening with me. It was Eric sir (former India bowling coach Eric Simons), who had first told me about this aspect. During the period that I was out of the team, I worked on this aspect.

"None of the coaches have told me to cut down on pace and neither did this kind of a thought cross my mind. If I can swing the ball at a brisk pace, it's only going to be an asset for me."

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