Published 15:36 IST, October 20th 2019
Umesh Yadav shines with the bat and shatters some records with a cameo
Umesh Yadav had played a cameo knock off 31-ball 10 which includes five sixes. He also broke a few records in his short innings as India declared at 197/9.
Umesh Yadav has been one of India's premier fast bowlers for many years. The Vidharbha pacer had faced criticism from the cricket fans after a couple of bad performances in the bilateral T20I series against Australia at home which was followed by an unimpressive outing in the IPL earlier this year. Umesh was roped in as a replacement for the injured Jasprit Bumrah for the ongoing series against South Africa where he has been good with the ball. However, in the third and final Test match at Ranchi, he impressed and entertained one and all with the bat in hand as he broke a couple of records as well.
Umesh shines with the bat
Coming out to bat at number nine, Umesh Yadav had lasted for any 10 deliveries but he scored a quickfire 31 which included five sixes at a strike rate of 310. Playing his 43rd Test, Yadav's explosive batting helped him register his highest score in red-ball cricket. Meanwhile, he also shattered some a few records as a batsman as well. The bowler whom Umesh had hit for five maximums was left-arm spinner George Linde who was making his debut. Nonetheless, he had a forgettable debut as he was first smashed by Umesh for two consecutive sixes and then for three more maximums in his next over. Nonetheless, Linde got his man in that over itself. Meanwhile, the speedster has now become the first batsman to register the fastest 30-plus score in Test cricket as he surpassed former New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming who had scored an unbeaten 31 off just 11 deliveries against South Africa back in 2004. At the same time, Umesh also became the second Indian player after the great Sachin Tendulkar to hit two sixes off the first two deliveries. India declared their innings at 497/9.
Here's how the fans reacted to Umesh's enterprising knock.
Bad light halts play again
The play was halted on Day two of the final Test at Ranchi due to bad light, making it the second consecutive day for the play to be stopped for the same reason. Trailing India by 497 runs, South Africa lost two early wickets with Dean Elgar going for a duck followed by Quinton de Kock. Mohammad Shami and Umesh Yadav struck gold in their first spell as they left the Proteas rattled before the play was halted. After a monumental 200 from Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane's first century in the series, India was powered ahead to 497 by Ravindra Jadeja and Umesh Yadav at which the hosts declared. The game was stopped due to bad light on Day one following which the play was closed early due to showers.
Updated 16:47 IST, October 20th 2019