I am a big fan of Umesh Yadav: Dale Steyn

Umesh Yadav was the third highest wicket-taker in the recently concluded World Cup

South African pace spearhead Dale Steyn has said that he is a big fan of Indian speedster Umesh Yadav and added that the 27-year-old would be someone to look up to in the years to come.

After having a tough time in the first leg of the Australian summer, the Vidharbha lad came roaring back to form in the 2015 World Cup, he took 18 wickets in 8 matches at an average of 17.83 and finished as the third highest wicket-taker in the tournament.

“I have been a big fan of Yadav. I am a fast bowler, I really like fast bowlers. We are both quite short, we are similar in height. He is stronger than I am and he has got a strong action and swings the ball. As the years go on, Umesh is going to be one of those guys that you can look up to.

“He can be a really good Test bowler too. He has got the action to land the ball in the right areas. Swing the ball away at high pace,” Steyn told PTI in an interview.

Steyn praises Dhoni and the Indian bowlers

The 31-year-old heaped praises on the way MS Dhoni led the side at the quadrennial event and also credited the Indian bowlers for their resounding comeback in the tournament.

“Led by Dhoni, a fantastic captain with great ideas, they had great plans during the World Cup and they did extremely well to reach the semis considering that they struggled in the early part of the Australian summer,” the fast bowler said.

“They also bowled the yorkers very well. They used the short ball well in Australia but I am not sure how that’s going to work in India. The fields are slightly smaller and the pitches slower but these bowlers are very very good,” he added.

Ishant can become a very good bowler if he remains injury-free: Steyn

Steyn, who is currently in India to represent the SunRisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League(IPL), was also sympathetic towards Ishant Sharma, who couldn't make it to the World Cup due to injury, but said that the 26-year-old from Delhi has all the attributes to become a very good bowler.

“That’s a life of a fast bowler. Sometimes it [injuries] just happens. Fast bowling is not a natural thing. Ishant has struggled with a few injuries. He just needs to spend some more time on the cricket field. And that’s how the body is some guys struggle with injuries while others are injury free.

“And I think he understands that, he appreciates that. When he is on the field you can expect good things from him,” he said.

“But when he is injury free he is a freak of a bowler. He can do some amazing things with a cricket ball. He is tall, he has got good pace, he hits the deck, and has got a slightly different action so he brings the ball in with his wrist. He has all things that can add up to be a very good fast bowler,” the Cape Town-based cricketer added.