After India took a slender first innings lead, thanks to Ravindra Jadeja’s heroics with the bat, it was Umesh Yadav’s fast and furious first spell that put Australia on the back foot early on day three of the the Dharamsala Test.
Umesh made the new ball talk with figures of 6-1-22-2, including the wickets of both Australian openers – David Warner and Matt Renshaw. The Vidarbha pacer has been in excellent form this series, with 17 wickets, including his career-best series haul. In his second spell, he used reverse swing to good effect and got the wicket of Nathan Lyon, finishing with figures of 10-3-29-3.
Earlier in the day, another pacer, Pat Cummins had displayed an outstanding display of fast bowling, unsettling batsmen with the short ball and inducing edges with deliveries that came back in. However, as the day progressed, Cummins’ breathtaking spell was pushed to the background as Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Umesh Yadav reduced Australia to 31/3.
In a series where spinners have gained the lion’s share of the wickets, Umesh Yadav has stood out with his sharp seam bowling. His ferocious spell on the third morning of the decider didn’t go unnoticed as many cricket fans on Twitter hailed the fast bowling effort. Here’s what people had to say.
(My) Man of the series : Umesh Yadav
— Snehal Pradhan (@SnehalPradhan) March 27, 2017
When I started covering cricket I must confess I didn't imagine I would see the last two balls @y_umesh bowled to Renshaw.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 27, 2017
Australian Media Now - Curtly Ambrose is bowling with a face mask of Umesh Yadav 😂😂 #IndvAus
— Rahul 🔵 (@clickator7) March 27, 2017
I dunno about the MoM & MoS. But there should a Man of the season award and that should be given to Umesh Yadav! What a revelation! #INDvAUS
— Aishwaryaa Haridas (@ImAishu_) March 27, 2017
This Indian cricket season belongs to Umesh Yadav! No injuries and has been at his best. May this be the turn around in his career #IndvAus
— Sameer Hegde (@SameerHegde07) March 27, 2017
With three Yadavs in the Indian squad, the prospect was only too enticing to not leave politics out of it
In an era where Yadavs of UP are struggling, Umesh Yadav is in his sublime form. Ahaan, irony!
— Nerd Stark (@itsaashuu) March 27, 2017
Umesh Yadav has been the best Yadav we've known till date.#IndvAus
— Joint Ventur (@JointVentur) March 27, 2017
Umesh Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar are the real "UP ke ladke"
— EngiNerd. (@mainbhiengineer) March 27, 2017