Ranji Trophy: Zaheer Khan, Umesh Yadav set for pace-off

MUMBAI: This might well be a tale of two Indian pacers. One young, the other experienced. One a master of his trade, especially in the art of reverse swing, the other his pupil, who has slipped off the radar a bit.
A veteran of 88 Tests, the 35-year old Mumbai skipper Zaheer Khan, is geared up to bowl his side to a win against Vidarbha in the Ranji Trophy game that begins at the Wankhede on Thursday and board the flight to South Africa full of confidence.Not only has he returned to the Indian team after a year in exile, he seems to be at the peak of his powers, having scalped 13 wickets from three Ranji games, including a five-wicket haul against Delhi.
In contrast, young Umesh Yadav is struggling to find his bearings. While he can bowl fast, accuracy has never been his forte. Despite playing for India for over two years, he has struggled to find consistency in his performances.
With his wealth of experience and skill, few doubted Zaheer’s utility to the Indian team. It was always his fitness that was a problem. However, the 35-year old pacer has dispelled those doubts by logging more than 100 overs this season. "The first-class games have helped me get into the rhythm and some overs (against Vidarbha) will help me get the final touches to my bowling (ahead of India's tour of South Africa)," said Zaheer.
In contrast and on the evidence of his form in recent times, the 26-year-old Umesh, who has played nine Tests and 26 ODIs for India has struggled post the Champions Trophy. He was ignored for the Australia ODI series and despite being in the squad for the Test series against West Indies, he couldn't force his way into the playing XI. His efforts in the Ranji Trophy too haven't been great. Against Gujarat, a match which was played on a green top, Umesh took just one wicket in 30 overs conceding 79 runs.
In the previous game against Karnataka, he picked three wickets, but took 34 overs to get them and conceded 121 runs. What would be disappointing for his fans would be the fact that he failed to polish off the tail and that cost Vidarbha, who were playing at home, first innings points.
Given the fact that the wicket at the Wankhede Stadium has decent pace and bounce, this game will be an acid test for Umesh. With the likes of Mohd Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar ahead of him in the pecking order, he needs to produce a sensational spell against a strong batting outfit like Mumbai to stake his claim in the playing XI come the Jo'burg Test, which will be played on December 18.
"This Ranji match (against Mumbai) should help me get ready for the South Africa tour," he said, adding, "I will look to bowl a good line and bowl the three-quarter length which is ideal."
About lessons from Zaheer, Umesh said, "We met after a long time today. He enquired about my fitness and advised me to concentrate on line and length."