Team Southee commends Umesh Yadav’s outstanding performance for KKR in IPL 2022

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) star Tim Southee gives praise to his team-mate, Umesh Yadav, for having put in an amazing performance in the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL) so far. The cricketer from New Zealand said that Yadav could return to India's T20I team as well.

“I was fortunate enough to share the new ball with him a few times when we both played at RCB. 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," said Southee in an interview.

Yadav proves his maximum game performance and play extraordinary while strengthening KKR. The express pacer provides an important breakthrough on the field against his opponents. So far, he has picked up 10 goals from five games and an economy of 6.60.

The KKR bowler has also beaten some of the biggest stars in the IPL this season, including Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma and RCB’s Virat Kohli in the powerplay. Against the Punjab Kings, the player purchased by KKR for INR two crore in IPL auction 2022 capped the Kings to 137.

Southee also added that he is a big fan of Yadav. According to Southee, the 34-year-old is an extraordinary player. "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 the very fine Indian fast bowler," said the 33-year-old Kiwi.

Southee thanks KKR

Southee also praised the management team and said that appreciation should be given to the think tank team for seeing the best in Yadav's potential. According to him, KKR can take advantage of Yadav's extraordinary abilities.

"(Head coach) Brendon (McCullum) and (captain) Shreyas (Iyer) have used him obviously as an attacking weapon with the new ball, maximizing his strengths with the new ball and coming back in the middle overs to try and pick up wickets make the phase a bit easier,” Southee said.

Kolkata has a strong bowling department. The team was reinforced by the top fast bowler from Australia, Pat Cummins who handled the attack speed. Meanwhile and Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy are in the spin department. Apart from praising Yadav's game, Southee also praised the young duo, Rasikh Salam and Ashok Sharma.

“This is really interesting. You look at the experience and speed these three have and then we include the exciting talent of the young Indian bowlers that we have on our sideIt's great to be part of such a great lineup. You get to experience Sunil Narine, Pat and Umesh and then throw in some young Indian talent. Interesting one, nice to be around, "he added.

Meanwhile, the Knight Riders are now preparing for the next match in IPL this season. In their next match, the Kolkata-based team will next face Sunrisers Hyderabad, on April 15 (Friday), at Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai.

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