Zim tour will be a good opportunity for coal miner's son Yadav to overcome the disappointment of missing the World T20
Zim tour will be a good opportunity for coal miner's son Yadav to overcome the disappointment of missing the World T20
The Indian team's early exit from the ICC World Twenty20 Cup not only caused a lot of heartburn among the Indian supporters, it also shattered the dream of Vidarbha pace bowler Umesh Yadav.
Yadav was not in India's original squad and he was asked to join the team during the Super Eights stage when Praveen Kumar broke down. But, India crashed out in the Super Eights stage and Yadav was left at home with his bags packed.
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| Vidarbha pace bowler Umesh Yadav |
"Thoda bura to laga tha jab nahin ja saka (I was a bit down when I could not go). It's a dream for anyone to play in the World Cup. It's one of the biggest events. But you don't have much control over paperwork. I got to know of my selection on Friday. I could not process my visa for the next two days because it being Saturday and Sunday the South African consulate was closed. I got everything done by Tuesday but by then the Indian team was already out of the tournament," Yadav told MiD DAY.
"However, I did not allow my confidence to get affected, my friends and family also kept a positive attitude," said Yadav.
Fortunately, Yadav did not have to wait long for his next assignment and India's Zimbabwe tour presents the Nagpur-lad a perfect opportunity to overcome his disappointment.
Yadav is part of the Suresh Raina-led young India team, which leaves on Tuesday to play three one-dayers and two twenty20s.
"I have put everything in preparing for Zimbabwe, it's been practice, practice and more practice," said Yadav.
Yadav is aware than there is more at stake for him than the normal cricketers. After all, his family and friends from Walni Mines area where he grew up, look up to him as an inspiration in their tough life as coal mine workers on the outskirts of Nagpur.
His dad, Tilak Yadav works at the Western Coalfields Limited.
"Dad feels very proud that he is known by his son's name today.
"During my early school days, he would be behind me to concentrate on studies but later on, convinced by my interest in cricket, he agreed to let me play. He told me: 'Do as you wish'," revealed Yadav.
His local community at the Walni Mines wanted to have a function when he was selected for the World T20, but Yadav told them not to.
If all goes well in Zimbabwe, Yadav will be overruled for sure and Walni Mines will have its biggest party to welcome their hero.
