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Fit again Umesh Yadav eyeing World Cup-like World Test Championship

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India pacer Umesh Yadav reiterated the context of the World Test Championship final for single-format players like him. 

In an interview with ANI, Umesh echoed the sentiment shared by his Test teammates such as Ishant Sharma, vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane that the occasion of the WTC final is as big as a World Cup final and that winning the championship would be a monumental achievement.

"Yes, Ishant Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane are correct. As a player when you are playing Test matches, the WTC is like a World Cup for you. It's very uncertain if we are going to get to play ODIs in the near future. So, as a Test match player, WTC is like a World Cup only. I also think the same. WTC final is different because you reach at that place by defeating a lot of good teams," Umesh said.

Discussing the team environment and the leadership group comprising the head coach Ravi Shastri and captain Virat Kohli, Umesh said that the players have been given the freedom to enjoy the game without feeling the weight of baggage. He also said that the spirit in the team remains high all the time as all of them remain on the same page in terms of aggression and attitude on the field. 

"Virat and Ravi bhai have worked really hard. The way Virat has captained and handled the team, the freedom and confidence that the captain and coach have given to the team keep a lot of weightage because as a bowler or a batsman when you can play at your free will and freedom you definitely perform so much better. When the team steps down on the ground, there is a kind of aggression, a feeling of backup and support. All 11 players are in sync with each other. So, coaches and captain deserve the credit for that. The players are very comfortable, there is a team spirit and good environment," said Umesh.

Umesh Yadav missed the latter half of the series against Australia due to a calf injury and would be looking to make a comeback in the playing XI on the upcoming tour of England.




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