Umesh's inspiration for fiery opening spell

Paceman Umesh Yadav says the bouncer barrage India's tail copped on the third morning of the fourth Test inspired him to produce his match-changing spell against Australia in Dharamsala.

Umesh faced just eight deliveries in India's first innings but was at the crease during a frightening spell from Aussie quick Pat Cummins, who picked up three wickets and bowled with impressive pace.

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The Indian says the hostile, short-pitched bowling from Cummins convinced him to adopt a similar approach when he took the new ball after lunch and he delivered a brilliant spell to help break the back of Australia's top order.

"The way their pacers were bowling bouncers, especially Pat Cummins, the plan in the second innings was to bowl as many bouncers as possible," Yadav told BCCI.TV.

"We had to win the match and this being the last Test of the season, I felt that we had to give some effort.

"When I was batting, I received two-three bouncers. After going back (to the dressing room), I decided that I would show them I can bowl bouncers too.

"At the same time, I had to make sure that I kept control while being aggressive."

The right-armer struck two crucial early blows, having both of Australia's openers caught behind before the tourists had wiped off their 32-run deficit on the first innings.

The dismissals of David Warner and Matt Renshaw came during a brilliant six-over spell that yielded 2-22 and saw the paceman focus almost exclusively on pitching the ball short of a good length.

Pace partner Bhuvneshwar Kumar also adopted a hostile approach and picked up the key wicket of skipper Steve Smith, reducing Australia to 3-31 inside 10 overs.

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Former Australia skipper Michael Clarke says the approach of India's opening bowlers would have taken the tourists by surprise.

"I don't think any of the Australian batsmen expected the pace and aggression of Umesh Yadav," Clarke told India Today.

"A lot of Australia's batsmen were pushed on the back foot by Umesh's pace."

Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly was full of praise for the right-armer, who will finish the series as the leading paceman from both teams having taken 17 wickets at 23 in four Tests.

"Umesh Yadav's spell took the wind out of Australia," Ganguly told India Today.

"I knew it would be just a matter of time before there was an edge.

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"The fast bowlers broke the backbone of the Australian batting line-up and then the spinners completed the job."

Umesh's blistering spell on Monday completed a solid season of Test cricket for the 29-year-old, who has played all but one of India's 13 Tests during an exhausting summer.

On pitches that have offered little assistance for the quicks, Umesh has taken 30 wickets at 36.76 to provide admirable support to India's star spinners.