Robin Singh names Umesh Yadav as the best Indian fielder among bowlers in the present team
Former India all-rounder Robin Singh has named AB de Villiers as the best fielder in the world and also called Indian speedster Umesh Yadav as the best among all the Indian bowlers in the present national outfit.
The 52-year-old former all-rounder felt that Yadav had a very good arm and also is a fast mover on the field.
“AB de Villiers is the best for me when he is fit. Amongst the Indian bowlers, I like Umesh Yadav. He is fast and can move quickly. He has a low centre of gravity and a good arm as well,” he told in an interview to Sportstar.
Robin also praised the Indian team in general for their fielding, stating that they were on par with the likes of South Africa and Australia and added in order to be a good fielder, one needed to be fearless and one should also be a good athlete.
“The Indian team today is on par with the South Africans and Australians. Most of the guys are in their 20s and if you can’t field in your 20s then you can never field. Emphasis on fitness has also helped. You have to be fearless to be a good fielder and you can learn that between the age of 13 and 19. You should not be scared of diving or getting hurt. Also to be a top fielder, I feel you need to be a good athlete.
“Fielding has gained importance over the years. Today if you can’t field, you can’t get into the team. You have to be really exceptional to get into the team on the basis of your batting or bowling. People expect you to be a good fielder these days,” he added.
Robin, who has been part of setups that won the Indian Premier League as well as the Caribbean Premier League, further said that in order to win in Twenty20 cricket, one needed a squad where players understood their roles.
“T20 is not just about a strong team. It’s about people playing together and understanding the roles they can play. How quickly they can incline with my methodology is also important for me as a coach. For me, my team has to play to win. You can’t have any friends while you’re playing,” he said.
India’s four-match Test tour of the West Indies was staged even when the CPL was on on the sidelines and Robin felt that the League could have been conducted at a better time slot and the board were at fault for the clashing of the two series.
“India put up the Test matches when CPL was on. Even the Big Bash (Australia’s domestic T20 competition) goes on during Australia’s Test season but no one criticises them.The IPL already has a period of two months where everything is in place, all the players are available. So you can’t blame another board or association for trying to make money. WICB knew fully well when the CPL was on. It is the fault of West Indies board and the Indian board (BCCI) for putting the matches when the CPL was on.
“When you know there is a tournament, you should try your best to avoid another series so that best players are available and I can assure you if you pick the players, they will play for their countries.
“Jason Holder, the West Indies captain, was part of our team (Barbados Tridents) and picked up a slight injury, we rested him because we wanted him fit for West Indies,” he concluded.