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Exclusive: Lack of red-ball experience hurt India’s bowling in Border-Gavaskar Trophy, says Umesh Yadav

Exclusive: Lack of red-ball experience hurt India’s bowling in Border-Gavaskar Trophy, says Umesh Yadav

India’s bowling unit faced challenges during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with Umesh Yadav citing red-ball inexperience and lack of domestic exposure as key factors.

Team India had a disappointing show at the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which recently concluded with 3-1 in Australia’s favour. India lost a Test series against Australia after 10 years, ending a decade-long domination in the series. India had a terrible show from the batting side, where no player performed brilliantly, although, leaving Jasprit Bumrah aside, Indian bowling unit also showed a vulnerable display at the Australian pitches. Speaking exclusively to InsideSport, India’s veteran pacer Umesh Yadav, who has played 57 Test for India, sheds a light on what when wrong with the Indian team’s bowling unit in BGT.

Umesh Yadav on Indian pacers show at BGT

Speaking on the India’s bowling unit at the BGT, comprising of Jasprit Bumra, Mohammed Siraj, Akashdeep, Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna, Umesh believes that new played have not understood the assignment. “When I began as a Test player, I went on my first away tour to Australia, and we lost the series badly. You think you are the best because you’ve been selected, but playing against top sides makes you realise something’s missing—conditions, situations, and the bowling load.” He said.

Umesh believes that Team usually encounter such situations when the team goes into transition. “Our team has changed this time; new guys came up in the last two series. In Tests, when you make changes, you have to be ready for setbacks and compromise. We had experienced bowlers, but there were also new players. Akashdeep played two matches and had some issues with a niggle.” He added.

Lack of domestic cricket experience turned costly for India

Umesh believes that lack of having less experience with the Red ball, some bowlers were clueless on what to do. “When we played, wickets were often flat, but this time fast bowlers had some help from the pitch. The problem is that confidence, maturity, and the number of matches you play matter; experience makes a difference. We had two great bowlers, but two others were new, and then the fifth bowler, Nitish Reddy, was also inexperienced. New weather and challenges require time.” he stated.

Harshit Rana & Nitish Reddy didn’t play much first class cricket to take experience

Umesh stated “Suddenly, when you play a new international series in Australia, you might get excited, but you have to stay composed. Akashdeep and Harshit Rana struggled to understand the conditions suddenly. Akashdeep and Prasidh have played domestic cricket, but Nitish and Harshit haven’t played much domestic first-class cricket. I’m not saying they’re not talented, but they lack red-ball experience. Playing with the red ball consistently will help them improve.” He believed that it is important for having Test cricket experience.

Lack of experience in bowlers costed BGT

Umesh Yadav believes that Jasprit Bumrah was the only player who actually relieved at the tour. Siraj despite being experienced was struggling to get wickets, while other pacers were just new and they had no idea on how to capitalise. “Bumrah is dominating and always thinking about taking wickets. He was under pressure because he knew he had to lead the unit. Siraj also tried very hard; sometimes you don’t get wickets despite bowling brilliantly. It’s tough when the third bowler is inexperienced.” he concluded.

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