Veteran fast bowler Umesh Yadav has made a big statement about his India comeback, saying that age should never be a factor in deciding a player’s future at the highest level. The 38-year-old Umesh Yadav, who will turn 39 on October 25, still dreams of playing for India again.
He believes that performance and fitness should be the only factors behind selection. Umesh also opened up about his tough injury recovery and compared it to Mohammed Shami's struggle. The seasoned fast bowler also slammed Vidarbha for not supporting him during his tough time despite spending 18 years with the team. Amid this, BCCI postpones IPL stakeholders' meeting due to PM Modi's Asian Games ceremony.
Umesh Yadav represented India in 57 Tests, 75 ODIs, and nine T20Is. However, the Nagpur-born cricketer last played a Test for India in 2023, and injuries and the emergence of younger fast bowlers have significantly cut down his chances of making a comeback.
Recently, Umesh made it clear that age should not become a barrier for players who are still performing well. The experienced pacer believes that selectors should judge a player by his actual performance and fitness instead of making decisions based only on his age.
Umesh Yadav was quoted as saying by Times Now, "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. 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.”
Umesh Yadav wants clear communication from Indian selectors
Umesh also stressed that the Indian selectors should communicate clearly with players about their future. He believes that keeping cricketers waiting without giving them a proper answer creates unnecessary confusion.
The fast bowler explained, “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. But everyone knows—who doesn't want to represent their country again, who doesn't want to make a comeback?” Amid this, MSK Prasad backs Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s return, demands Mohammed Shami's comeback.
Umesh also opened up about his serious Achilles tendon injury and compared it with Mohammed Shami's injury issues. Shami has not played for India since the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. However, Shami managed to make a comeback in domestic cricket with Bengal.
He said that Shami got all the support from Bengal, saying the support given to a player during recovery can make a major difference. Umesh claimed that he did not receive the support he expected from Vidarbha. As a result, the pacer made his first-class debut for the side in 2008 and spent 18 years with the team before switching to Punjab ahead of the 2026-27 domestic season.
Umesh revealed, “When I came back, I didn't get that kind of support and backup from there that should have been given. There, it was more about getting Umesh out of the picture. The (Vidarbha) coach was very happy, thinking, 'There's only one guy left, one senior left. If he goes out, my word will be heard everywhere, and whatever I say will happen. 'Those things happened.”
Umesh Yadav makes strong statement on clarity
The fast bowler stressed that clear communication is important for both him and Shami, regardless of whether they are selected for India again.
Umesh signed off by saying, “So, I believe clarity is very important. Whether Shami performs well and gets selected or not, clear guidance will help him a lot. Because whether it's Shami or me, we love this sport; we have been playing it since childhood. So whatever cricket we have left in us, we will give it; we will play that cricket—but playing with clarity makes it much better.”
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