IND vs AUS 2023: It was being asked why he was played – Harbhajan Singh hails Umesh Yadav’s spell

India’s former veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh has lauded Umesh Yadav’s spell in the first innings of the third Test match against Australia at Indore. Yadav was drafted into the playing XI as Mohammed Shami was rested.

The fast bowler from Vidarbha has got sporadic chances in the team’s final XI but he has mostly grabbed them, especially in the sub-continent conditions. Yadav got three crucial wickets in the opening session of the second day against the Aussies as he made great use of reverse swing.

The right-arm pacer plumbed Cameron Green and then cleaned up Mitchell Starc and Todd Murphy to help India bundle out Australia at 197. Australia went on lose six wickets for only 11 runs and a lot of credit goes to Umesh Yadav, who returned with impressive figures of 3-12 in the five overs he bowled.

Moreover, Umesh Yadav completed 100 wickets in the Indian conditions. He became the 13th overall bowler (fifth pacer) to achieve the milestone and he is the quickest with 4652 balls.

Harbhajan Singh said on Star Sports, “We saw spinners dominate here. But for me, the best moment was when Umesh Yadav picked up those three wickets on a pitch where he was not being given bowling at all and it was being asked why he was played because 25-30 more runs might have been scored if another batter had played instead of him.”

“He showed that you give him the ball at least. The wicket does not matter, a guy’s heart matters and he showed that by doing it. For me, this was the moment of the game.”

The Turbanator lauded Umesh Yadav for starting his spell in an aggressive manner.

“The way he started his spell, there was a purpose behind it. The way he was running, it was enjoyable to watch his bowling. When any bowler gets a wicket, your morale gets doubled.”

The former off-spinner continued his praise on Umesh Yadav for making the most of the reverse swing on offer.

“On this pitch or any pitch, you have to pitch the ball at the right spot. He did that very well and made full use of the slight reverse swing that was available for him. He dismissed Starc hands down and the next batter as well, they did not have any idea – amazing bowling.”

Despite a good comeback with the ball, India was dismissed for 163 runs in the second innings, giving a target of 76 runs to the Australians.