Melbourne, Dec 26: Playing only his third Test, Umesh Yadav today found himself on a stage that leaves even seasoned campaigners intimidated: the high profile Boxing Day Test. Yadav’s spell of three for 96 at the MCG, buzzing with over 70,000 spectators, on the opening day of the big series, marks the beginning of a promising career.

Speaking to the media at the end of day’s play, the young fast bowler admitted the magnitude of the occasion had made him a little nervous. However, a few words of wisdom from Sachin Tendulkar were sufficient to calm his nerves. "He just boosts my confidence,” he said. “He does not tell me anything particular, just asks me to bowl in my areas. Even during the West Indies tour he stood beside me at mid-on or mid-off and kept encouraging me.”

However, there was one piece of technical advice that Tendulkar gave the youngster: keep it full and straight. “He told me that in India you could get away by bowling back of length stuff. Here in Australia, it's important to bowl a fuller length," Yadav revealed.

While the 24-year-old speedster was the pick of India’s bowlers on the day with three wickets, he was also the most expensive with an economy rate of 4.80. "I took wickets but gave away far too many runs. So I'm happy and I'm not happy [at the same time],” he said.

When quizzed about bowling short to Ricky Ponting and Ed Cowan, both known to put the pull shot to good use, Yadav said that that was part of the plan to stop the flow of runs.

"It's not that I wanted to bowl short or the team has planned so. The two fielders in the deep, at fine leg and square leg, were intended to keep the scoring down more than to catch the batsmen off a pull shot," he said.

Among his three victims was a well-set Ricky Ponting who was done in by an outswinger. "It was exciting to bowl to Ponting. He has been such a big player. I wouldn't say I was very nervous but I was pretty pumped up.

"I would not say any one wicket stood out in particular. All wickets were special. I am touring Australia for the first time so whatever success comes my way would make me happy. In whatever way I could contribute to the team, I am happy I could do it.”