‘I cannot select myself’, Umesh Yadav, who is out of Team India, expressed his desire to return

Umesh Yadav, one of India’s most experienced fast bowlers, has not featured in an international match for the national team since June 2023. At 37, many may assume that his international career is nearing its end, but Umesh remains hopeful and determined. A strong performer in domestic cricket and a workhorse in red-ball cricket, he continues to push himself physically and mentally with the aim of making a comeback. His focus is clear: keep performing in the domestic circuit, maintain peak fitness, and let the selectors take notice. Despite being away from the limelight of international cricket, Umesh is not ready to give up. His dedication to the sport is evident from his ongoing training and commitment to play competitive matches. Speaking in an interview with Sports Tak, Umesh openly admitted that he cannot select himself for the national squad, but what he can do is stay fit, bowl well, and wait for the opportunity. “The effort to return is still on,” he said. “I have to play matches, keep getting fitter, and stay competitive. My only aim is to get fit and come back.”

Umesh Yadav has had a long and storied international career. Since his debut in 2010, he has represented India in 57 Test matches, 75 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 9 T20 Internationals. In Tests, he has taken 170 wickets, in ODIs 106 wickets, and 12 wickets in the T20 format. His ability to generate raw pace and bounce made him stand out among Indian pacers, especially in home conditions. Interestingly, unlike many Indian fast bowlers who struggle to maintain consistent performances on Indian pitches, Umesh’s statistics at home are far more impressive than those overseas. He has taken 101 wickets in 32 home Tests at an average of 25.89 and a strike rate of 48 — numbers that speak volumes about his effectiveness on subcontinent pitches. In contrast, his record in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) countries reads 46 wickets in 15 matches, with an average of 41.41 and a strike rate of 61.50. This contrast underlines his strength in bowling long spells and taking wickets on slow, low pitches — a skill set that makes him valuable in the Indian conditions, especially in red-ball cricket.

Umesh’s journey to international cricket is nothing short of inspirational. Coming from a humble background — the son of a coal miner — he had no access to professional coaching or cricket academies. Yet, he made it to the highest level through sheer grit and natural talent. “I never went to any academy or nets,” he shared. “I am a natural fast bowler. I have been bowling fast since childhood.” His story is a reminder that passion and perseverance can break through even the toughest circumstances. He never imagined that he would wear the Indian jersey, but his hard work and raw pace eventually made him a mainstay in India’s pace attack, especially in Tests.

Despite not playing at the highest level for over a year, Umesh Yadav continues to believe in destiny and hard work. He understands that as a fast bowler, staying fit is half the battle. While younger bowlers have taken center stage in recent times, Umesh’s experience and ability to perform in tough conditions can still be valuable for the Indian side, particularly in Test matches at home. His hunger to represent India again and his honest acknowledgment that selection is beyond his control, yet fitness is in his hands, shows a mature and grounded mindset. Whether or not Umesh makes a return, his story remains a powerful example of how determination, talent, and self-belief can take someone from the coal mines of India to cricket’s grandest stage.