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. 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.
Until about a decade ago, one would have said that India lacked a battery of top pacers.
“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. “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.
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 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.
But everyone knows-who doesn’t want to represent their country again, who doesn’t want to make a comeback?” he said.
