Team India selections can never make everyone happy in India. In a country where the sport is dominant over other disciplines, there are numerous followers, coaching institutes and competing states in domestic cricket. It is only natural that there is no shortage of talent either. Until about a decade ago, one would have said that India lacked a battery of top pacers. Even that is now a thing of the past. Umesh Yadav belongs to a generation that witnessed the emergence of talented Indian pacers. He regularly bowled at over 140 kmph. Umesh Yadav went on to play 57 Tests, 75 ODIs and nine T20Is. The 38-year-old, who will turn 39 on October 25, is still an active cricketer in Indian domestic cricket and continues to harbour dreams of making an India comeback.
Look, I don’t think it’s ever too late. It depends. I feel any selection should be based on a player’s performance and fitness, not age criteria. Because if you feel that a guy’s age is 37 or 38, and he can’t run or bowl, then it’s okay to say straightforwardly, ‘Brother, you can’t do it anymore; neither is your ball doing the talking, nor are you bowling as fast, and in the field too, you don’t look as fit as you used to.’ You can say that straight away,” the 38-year-old told Times Now.
Umesh Yadav last played for India in a Test in 2023. Since then, injuries and the emergence of younger prospects have dented Yadav’s chances. His career path is somewhat similar to Mohammed Shami’s. The pacer has not featured for India since the Champions Trophy. Injuries and younger pace options have hurt his chances too.
Umesh called for greater clarity from BCCI selectors to make life easier for players.
“If you, as a selector, have thought of something, pass it on to the player. That’s much better than not communicating and leaving them unsure whether you’ll select them. Just speak clearly; that’s much better than living in false hope that it will happen. If things are crystal clear, you can choose a better next step. But everyone knows-who doesn’t want to represent their country again, who doesn’t want to make a comeback?” he said.
“Shami had an Achilles tendon issue where 20% was affected, along with a little heel bone injury at the back. Mine was 50%; it ruptured and tore apart, and had to be stitched back together with grafting. After that, when I made a comeback, it took me a full year just doing rehab. Because during rehab, one or two other niggles crop up that you might not even know about. But all those things happened. Still, Shami came back and played, but he got support from his state (Bengal), whereas I got the opposite,” Umesh explained.
Umesh Yadav switched from Vidarbha to Punjab ahead of the 2026-27 domestic season. Umesh made his first-class debut for Vidarbha in 2008 and spent 18 years with the side.
“When I came back, I didn’t get that kind of support and backup from there that should have been given. There, it was more about getting Umesh out of the picture. The (Vidarbha) coach was very happy, thinking, ‘There’s only one guy left, one senior left. If he goes out, my word will be heard everywhere and whatever I say will happen.’ Those things happened,” the 38-year-old India pacer revealed.
“So I believe clarity is very important. Whether Shami performs well and gets selected or not, clear guidance will help him a lot. Because whether it’s Shami or me, we love this sport; we have been playing it since childhood. So whatever cricket we have left in us, we will give it; we will play that cricket-but playing with clarity makes it much better,” he added
