rkt.india Posted April 17, 2009 Posted April 17, 2009 FROM muddy athletic tracks of Walni, a remote place near Khaparkheda, to playing cricket at national level within a span of just over a year, it has been a meteoric rise for this young fast bowler. The rise continues as Umesh Yadav, popularly called Bablu, is about to make Vidarbha proud by playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) season II scheduled to start from April 18 in South Africa. The athletically built Yadav’s exploits with the cherry in the Duleep and Ranji trophies forced IPL franchisees to take note of the fast bowler who had a five-wicket haul against a star-studded South Zone. His scalps include Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, N Arjun Yadav, R Ashwin and Laxmipathy Balaji. Yadav got offers from three IPL teams—Delhi Daredevils, Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers, Bangalore. Then why did he choose Delhi Daredevils? “It was the Delhi team that approached me first. My role model Glenn McGrath is in that team and it will be a dream come true for me bowling in tandem with him. The third and most important reason is that TA Sekar sir (Director DD), has promised me to include in the playing eleven,” said a confident Yadav. The DD team for the South African Safari is yet to be announced. Asked how sure he is to be in the team, the right-arm Vidarbha bowler said, “Pakistan’s Mohammed Asif, who played for them last time, is not there. Performance of other bowlers in the side has not been that impressive last season as Pradeep Sangwan and Vijay Yo Mahesh conceded too many runs. “Sekar sir has asked the opinions of Dravid, Laxman and Dinesh Karthick and the feedback has been positive. I am pretty confident of making it to the side for the South Africa trip,” he added. An athlete to begin with Yadav took to leather ball cricket just about two years ago. Representing Arts, Commerce and Science College, Koradi, Yadav won the long jump, finished third in the hurdles and helped his team to glory in the 4x100m relay in the Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj Nagpur University’s inter-collegiate meet last year. “Bablu (Yadav) is a fine athlete, as are many young boys from this place and he would have repeated his performance this year too. But as he was selected for Vidarbha’s Ranji Trophy team, I asked him not to participate in the varsity meet even though he came to ground,” said his college’s sports in-charge Sunil Bhotmange, himself a Shiv Chhatrapati awardee. Then how did cricket happen? “Cricket was not new to me except for the fact that I played with the tennis ball. I first played with leather ball representing my college in the university meet. It was my performance against a formidable Annasaheb Gundewar College that brought me recognition. “After bundling us for 80 something, all felt it would be cakewalk for AG batsmen but my four-wicket burst at the top helped us defend the meagre total. “Prafool Dangre of the Vidarbha Gymkhana was impressed with my pace and line and length. He asked whether I could play for his side in the Guzder League ‘A’ Division. That was the first major break. Then Rajeev Gokhale sir (Joint Secretary Vidarbha Cricket Association) saw me in the Twenty20 Koshish meet last year and he referred me to Vidarbha Ranji coach Usman Ghani sir. Ghani sir and Vidarbha skipper Preetam Gandhe worked hard on me, taught the basics and fine-tuned my action. I owe a lot to them. Seniors in the team including speedster Sandeep Singh also helped me with their suggestions,” he said. Yadav also thanked his college authorities for their relentless support. “I didn’t have a proper cricket kit and my college provided me the same. I will always be grateful to the college and the sports department.” The paceman’s journey took him to new plains as time passed. Gandhe took him to Mumbai to play in Corporate Twenty20 meet for Air India. He took seven wickets in three games and was handed over a six-month contract with the company. The contract was later renewed for a year and he now hopes to be their regular employee soon. From national cricket to the one of the most important cricketing events in the world today, how is the feeling? “I am very much excited. The tournament which I saw last year on TV and being a part of it this year is simply unbelievable,” he stated. To a query on what promises he makes before embarking for the trip, the pacer said, “Bolne se hi sab kuch nahin hota. I will try my best. The wickets there would definitely suit my style of bowling. I like to hit the deck, bowl just short of length and have a very good late inswinger. My average speed is 137-138 kmph, I am fit and will give my best.” Any special comment? “Life of a fast bowler depends on his fitness. I avoid unnecessary injuries on the field. Fitness and to remain injury-free are my top priorities.” Is he a changed man now after achieving so much in so less time? “I am still very much the same guy. I freely roam with my friends here in my colony,” was the modest reply. With loads of expectation on his young shoulders, the 21-year-old departs for New Delhi on Wednesday morning.
rkt.india Posted April 17, 2009 Author Posted April 17, 2009 No one indian team bowls at that average speed, Ishant is the closest
flamy Posted April 17, 2009 Posted April 17, 2009 Dude, I would read it if it was easier. Could you break it up into paragraphs?
Ram Posted April 17, 2009 Posted April 17, 2009 rkt how tall is Yadav? You have any idea? I think he is around 6'2, 6'3... This guy looks a fast bowler, which is good for a start. Its nice to see so much fresh talent coming through. :isalute:
Sachinism Posted April 17, 2009 Posted April 17, 2009 Thats a big claim from an Indian bowler, but lets see. Look forward to seeing him
Show_stopper Posted April 17, 2009 Posted April 17, 2009 Atleast on this account we need no verification guys..his speeds have been confirmed in the Duleep Trophy game he played vs South Zone. His average speed for the entire day was 136 kmph..thats impressive in the longer version of the game. I'm sure he'll do better(in terms of speed alone) in the shorter format in SA conditions. Thanks for the info Sriram.
Mamu Posted April 17, 2009 Posted April 17, 2009 I am more excited about this guy and looking forward to him over the non-existent Atul and Kamran
Laaloo Posted April 18, 2009 Posted April 18, 2009 I am more excited about this guy and looking forward to him over the non-existent Atul and Kamran How is kamran nonexistant?
flamy Posted April 18, 2009 Posted April 18, 2009 How is kamran nonexistant? There is no spoon. :nice:
Show_stopper Posted April 19, 2009 Posted April 19, 2009 How about Matrix? Meh decent game.Doesn't compare to Warcraft III though. Getting back to the topic..i hope we see Umesh bowling today.I'm tired of seeing trundlers.
flamy Posted April 19, 2009 Posted April 19, 2009 Meh decent game.Doesn't compare to Warcraft III though. Getting back to the topic..i hope we see Umesh bowling today.I'm tired of seeing trundlers. :hitler: I dun play games. :hitler: :hitler: :hitler: I was talkin abt the movie :hitler:
f.b.m Posted April 19, 2009 Posted April 19, 2009 I really didnt get why DD played Yomahesh instead of this guy.
Omkar Karnewar Posted June 23, 2019 Posted June 23, 2019 To know more about Vidarbha Gymkhana please go to https://vidarbhagymkhana.business.site Rasgulla 1
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