'I don't think I am in contention' - Umesh Yadav feels he is unlikely to make it to India's T20 World Cup squad

Umesh Yadav has been one of the pacers who regularly finds a place in the Indian Test squad when a bowler is down. However, he hasn’t been so lucky as far as white-ball cricket is concerned. His absence in the white-ball game has almost made him certain that he won’t be picked for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup later this year in Australia.

While selecting a perfect XI for the Indian team for the world event, Umesh Yadav revealed what he thinks about his chances. He chose Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah as the preferred bowlers for the mega event. The fast bowler also said that it will be a tough choice between Deepak Chahar and Mohammed Shami for the third pacer’s slot.

Umesh Yadav doesn’t pick Pandya or Jadeja in his XI for the T20 WC

“As for the spinners, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal. Bumrah and Bhuvi will be the fast bowlers and it will be a tough fight for the third spot between Shami and Deepak Chahar. I don’t think I am in contention for that spot,” he said while speaking to Sportskeeda in an Instagram live session.

Surprisingly, Umesh Yadav pick didn’t an all-rounder in the line-up for the World Cup. There was no mention of Ravindra Jadeja or Hardik Pandya. However, he chose five batters to make up his XI. He selected the likes of Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer in the top five.

During the interaction, the 32-year-old bowler also revealed that if MS Dhoni wants to play, he will play. However, he mentioned Rishabh Pant as the alternative to Dhoni. “My T20 XI would have Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer as the batsmen.

“Then, you have MS Dhoni Bhai. Abhi kya bol sakte hai, unki marzi rahegi toh wo khelenge [We can’t say anything now. If MS Dhoni wants to play for India, he will play]. If MS Dhoni Bhai does not play, then Rishabh Pant,” Umesh Yadav further added.