Fast bowler Umesh Yadav was the hero for Kolkata Knight Riders after his brilliant performance of 3-13, which included the important wickets of Virender Sehwag, Glenn Maxwell and captain George Bailey, helped his side beat Kings XI Punjab and secure their place in the final on Sunday.

Yadav, who also picked up two catches in the deep, paid tribute to Kolkata’s bowling coach, Pakistan legend Wasim Akram, and spoke of how he planned the wickets of Sehwag and Maxwell.

“I have learnt a lot from him. Cricket is also a mind game, and at the same time, it is important to remain calm in order to tackle different situations,” said Yadav when asked about Akram’s influence.

“Among other things, I have also learnt from him how to remain calm and how to plan for batsmen.

“He doesn’t get into the technique or tries to change your action. He says, ‘If you try to do that, then it will be difficult for you. So it is better to maintain what you already have’.”

Yadav was delighted to plot the dismissals of Sehwag and Maxwell.

“We had thought about getting him in the beginning, because whatever pressure will be created, it will be created by Viru paaji. He is an experienced opening batsman and can score briskly,” he said.

“If he plays out the new ball, it becomes easier for the batsmen coming in later. His was a huge wicket for us. I was just focusing on bowling the right line and length to him. If I swing the ball from the off-stump line, it will be difficult for him to play. I just worked on bowling my best, and my length was perfect.

“Maxwell is a big-hitter and starts to hit from the word go. So, I had I had decided in my mind that I will not bowl in the areas where they can hit easily. So, I was varying my deliveries. I tried a few things and eventually got his wicket. Facing a few dot-balls and not getting to hit the way he likes frustrated him.”

Morne Morkel, who took two wickets, was full of praise for Yadav, saying: “I am a massive fan of Umesh. We have played together with the Delhi Daredevils and it is fantastic to play with him yet again.

“He is a natural athlete. I really hope he can kick on from here and make that spot in the Indian bowling line-up his own.”