The ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 season is acting as a sounding board for many players who are looking to make it to their respective national teams ahead of the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup. One such player is Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) Umesh Yadav, and his Kolkata teammate Tim Southee believes that the 34-year-old could do well for the Indian team given his current performances.
"The way he's been managed suits Umesh's style of bowling. If he keeps performing the way he's been doing I can't see why he would not do well for India in T20 cricket," Southee said in an interview with PTI.
Umesh has been in great form for KKR this season, especially during the powerplay overs. He has 10 wickets under his belt and is currently second in the Purple Cap standings. The pacer already has a trophy with KKR, having won the coveted title back in 2014.
''He's had a strong start to the tournament. To open the bowling with some of the great bowlers, and someone who you don't usually get to deal with, that's the beauty of this tournament. You are able to open the bowling with a very fine Indian fast bowler,' the New Zealand pacer added.
Southee also heaped praise for the KKR bowling trio of Pat Cummins, Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy.
''It's really exciting. You look at the experience and the pace that the three have and then we throw in the exciting talents of the young Indian bowlers who we have on our side. On top of that, you have got two of the great mystery spinners of the game, so I think as a bowling attack that covers all the bases,” he said.
''It's great to be a part of such a great lineup. You got the experience of Sunil Narine, Pat and Umesh and then throw in some exciting young Indian talents. It's great to be around.''
Meanwhile, bowler Rasikh Salam made his debut for KKR against his former team Mumbai Indians (MI) last Wednesday (April 6), bowling well and giving away just 18 runs in three overs. Southee praised the debutant’s skills and his ability to swing the ball, adding words of appreciation for another KKR bowler Ashok Sharma.
''Rasikh Salam, who played his first game the other day, is just a very skilful bowler and can swing the ball both ways. Then there's Ashok (Sharma). 'It's always an eye-opener when you come to India and see these talented young Indian guys. They are asking some tough questions which are great to see,'' Southee concluded.
