Umesh Yadav best fielder among current Indian speedsters, believes fielding coach

New Delhi [India], Oct. 18 (ANI): India's fielding coach Ramakrishnan Sridhar has heaped praise on Umesh Yadav, who took a blinder in the first ODI against New Zealand to dismiss Corey Anderson, saying the speedster has created a "benchmark" for the fast bowlers of the Men in Blue. "We are blessed to have some fast bowlers in the team who are good athletes. Umesh is fabulous, he has got a good arm, he moves fast on the ground. Obviously, Shami is also pretty good athlete and in the past we had Mohit who is a fabulous fielder. So, we are blessed to have some fast bowlers who are really good fielders," Sridhar told the press conference. "Umesh is an exception in that terms. It's not just because of his athleticism that he is good, it is also the fact that he puts in a lot of yards during practice session in terms of his catching and fielding," he added. "So, that is probably that has given him the edge and put a new benchmark as far as fast bowlers fielders are concerned," he further said. Replying to a poser as who has the most powerful arm from the deep in this current set-up, the Indian fielding coach named Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja. "Jaddu (Jadeja) and Virat are the names that come to mind. They have powerful rocket arms and can throw from anywhere with accuracy," he said. "In terms of strength and fitness, all fast bowlers like Umesh have powerful arms. In January during Australia series, Umesh affected a run out from 80 metres. As far as one action pick up throw is concerned, it is performed at particular fielding position," he added. Suresh Raina, one of the best known fielders in the Indian team in the last few years, has joined the team, it has been confirmed. However, his availability for the upcoming ODI in terms of fitness was uncertain. "He's being monitored," Sridhar said. Indian fast bowlers have often been criticised for their fielding efforts and, thus, this praise coming from the fielding coach would "a world of good." The Black Caps and the Men in Blue will next meet each other in the second ODI of the five-match series at the Feroz Shah Kotla on Thursday. (ANI)