India lucky to have the pace of Umesh Yadav, Varun Aaron: Glenn McGrath

Umesh Yadav and Varun Aaron

"The Pigeon", Glen McGrath, has said that India are lucky to have the likes of Umesh Yadav and Varun Aaron, fast bowlers who have the ability to bowl at speeds of 150kms despite the unfavorable conditions in the Indian subcontinent. "To be a fast bowler in India is probably as tough as it gets,” McGrath said at an event hosted by ESPNcricinfo in association with Hardys.

“The wickets are not conducive to fast bowling. The harder you bowl into the wicket, the slower it comes off sometimes.

“To be a quality fast bowler, you have to be able to adapt to different conditions around the world. To grow up in Australia, it's fine. You get the pace, you get the bounce, it carries through nicely."

Umesh Yadav, who had a great World Cup and a spectacular IPL season, was also praised by former West Indian fast bowler Andy Roberts, who stated that Umesh was India's first ‘genuine fast bowler’.

McGrath, who took over the directorship of the MRF Pace Foundation in 2012, stated that this move had helped him understand the technical aspects of pace bowling better, making it easier for him to train young quicks at the foundation. He had initially been hesitant about taking up the role in the foundation from Dennis Lille, and had only taken it up as an opportunity to give something back to the Gentleman's game.