Royal Challengers Bangalore fast bowler Umesh Yadav has made a strong start to IPL 2018. He picked up 2-27 in a losing cause at the Eden Gardens against Kolkata Knight Riders but tasted success with a burst of 3-23 against Kings XI Punjab at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

His spell against Punjab saw Umesh dismiss Mayank Agarwal, Aaron Finch and Yuvraj Singh in one over to reduce Punjab to 36-3.

It has been a remarkable turnaround for the fast bowler who was known to leak runs in limited overs matches and revealed the reason behind his new-found success is correct guidance from Bangalore bowling coach Ashish Nehra who asked him to bowl stump to stump to go with his high pace.

“As a fast bowler, when a bowling coach shows confidence in you, then your confidence increases,” Yadav said.

“Ashu bhai told me, ‘You have pace, try to bowl at the stumps, it will be better for you. You are a 140-plus (kph) bowler. If someone hits you straight for six, it’s fine by me’. Since our camp started, that is what we have worked on. He keeps telling me to bowl on the stumps, bowl stump-to-stump, outside off. ‘That’s your area. If you bowl there, we’ll get wickets.’ So I’m following that same plan.”

Yadav will have to be on top of his game again on Sunday as Bangalore host Rajasthan Royals. Both teams have one win and and one defeat apiece.