Umesh Yadav aiming to make a comeback to white-ball cricket

Fast bowler Umesh Yadav has seen his cricketing career taking a roller-coaster ride. The 32-year-old last played for India in the recent Test series against Bangladesh at home but is eager to return to the limited-overs set-up. Umesh, who is playing in Ranji Trophy now for Vidarbha, was India’s wicket-taker in the 2015 World Cup in Australia-New Zealand but has played only 27 ODIs since then and was also ignored for the 2019 World Cup.

Umesh has claimed 39 scalps in 27 matches since the 2015 World Cup but the worsening economy rate is the reason why he lost his place in the national side. He has still made some mark in the Test arena but has lost his way in the white-ball formats. Umesh though has not given up hope in the formats in which he has taken 115 wickets (106 in ODIs, nine in T20Is).

“I am desperate to play white-ball cricket. Who wants to sit outside the ground? I am also human. I am working really hard and am very eager to play white-ball cricket again. I got the chance in the 2015 World Cup. I was happy to perform well for my country. I was disappointed when I was not included in the 2019 World Cup. Be it T20Is or ODIs, I eagerly want to make a comeback,” Umesh was quoted as saying by The Times of India.

“I am thankful to the selectors who gave me the opportunity to play for the country. They are the best judge. I am trying my best to make a comeback to white-ball cricket. For this, whatever I have to do, I will,” Umesh, who has in the past rued the inconsistency in opportunities that he has got to play for India, added.

Umesh Yadav is currently preparing for New Zealand Tests

Umesh is currently preparing for the two-Test series in New Zealand hoping that he would be picked up in the squad. Last year, Umesh picked up 23 wickets in four Tests to finish as one of the top performers with the red and pink cherries. He took eight wickets in the day-night Test that India played with Bangladesh.

“Honestly, I am looking forward to this (playing Tests in New Zealand). I am eager to play red-ball cricket in New Zealand. I have performed well in recent times and I’m in good touch too. My series against Bangladesh was good too. I am pretty positive about my selection for the New Zealand Test series. If I am selected, I am going to give my 100 per cent. I have worked a lot on my line and length. I am hoping for the best,” he said.

Umesh has taken seven wickets in four Test matches against New Zealand at an average of 48 plus. He though is yet to play in New Zealand. The last time the speedster played in a limited-over game was a T20I against Australia in Visakhapatnam un February last year.

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