3 new options for India for the World Cup after the West Indies Test series

#3 Umesh Yadav

Umesh Yadav could be the much-needed support bowler for Bhuvi and Bumrah

Umesh Yadav has been in and out of the Indian One-Day team. In the Test series against the West Indies, Umesh has become only the third Indian fast bowler to take 10 wickets in a match at home.

His wicket-taking abilities were never in doubt even when he was a regular member of the Indian one-day team. Umesh was the highest wicket-taker for India in the 2015 World Cup in Australia. But the problem for him in one-day matches was his economy rate. He has always been on the expensive side and his economy rate in one-day matches is as high as 6.

In the West Indies series, the pacer once again proved that he is a strike bowler capable of taking wickets during any stages of the match. In one-day matches, if Umesh could end up claiming 2 to 3 wickets in his 10 over spell, he would be worth a try though he is expensive.

For the World Cup, India are yet to identify a backup seamer for Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah. Umesh Yadav could be that strike bowling option for India in the World Cup.

Judging by the remarks made by the Indian coach Ravi Shastri after the second Test, all the above three in-form players should be tried for a minimum number of one-day matches before the World Cup to prove their potential.