India vs England: Umesh Yadav looks a prime candidate to make the playing XI

Ahmedabad: With no Jasprit Bumrah in the fourth and final Test match against England, fast bowlers Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Siraj will struggle to take his position in the bowling attack.

Umesh Yadav who limped off the field during the second Test against Australia in Melbourne last year and is yet to play a Test since then was named in India squad for the third and fourth Test after he recovered.

India vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane on Tuesday said that the Umesh Yadav is shaping up well. "Umesh is ready to go. He is looking really good, bowling really well. He had good sessions in the nets. Really happy that he is back," Rahane told the media on Tuesday.

The pacer’s skill to bowl reverse swing can help him make the side ahead of Mohammed Siraj, who was impressive in Australia. However, with not much bowling from pace bowlers required on a surface that is likely to help spinners again and a need to have a bowler who can reverse the ball, Yadav looks a main candidate to make the final XI.

Yadav has scalped 96 of his 148 Test wickets in 28 Tests at an average of 24.54 which is better than his career bowling average of 30.54.

(With inputs from IANS)