‘It was very difficult to believe’ – Umesh Yadav after his mother passed away in 2011

Back in February 2011, Umesh Yadav lost his mother, who passed away due to liver infection. It was during a match in the Vijay Hazare Trophy when Umesh got the news of his mother’s demise through a phone call. It wouldn’t be wrong in saying that the world would have turned upside down for the Vidarbha fast bowler. Soon after, he took a flight and went to his loved one.

It was during the time when Umesh was still trying to make a name for himself in the national side. He made his debut against Zimbabwe, went to South Africa also got an INR 3.5 crore deal from the Delhi Daredevils, now Capitals, in the prestigious Indian Premier League (IPL). The 32-year-old is saddened by the fact that his mother couldn’t feel the joy of him, donning the India colours.

“I was close to my mother. In 2011, the Vijay Hazare Trophy was going on and one day, during a game, news of my mother’s demise came in. I was still bowling and I was informed of it after the first session. It was very difficult to believe that something of this sort had happened,” Umesh was quoted as saying on Instagram Live with Sportskeeda.

It was the toughest time in my career, says Umesh Yadav

“I had just been talking to her a while back and it was very hard for me at that time. I immediately packed my bags and took a flight home. My mom had done so much for me and it was saddening that she couldn’t experience the happiness and joy of me doing very well in my career. It was the toughest time in my career,” he added.

After nine years since the horrific occurring, Umesh has come a long way and has made a mark at the highest level. Though he has found it tough to keep his spot in the ODI and T20I teams, he has shone in Tests, having picked 144 wickets from 46 games with three fifers and a 10-wicket haul.

In September 2019, during India’s home series against South Africa, he came in as Jasprit Bumrah’s replacement after the latter suffered a back injury. From there on, he along with Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah have wreaked havoc.