Veteran fast bowler Umesh Yadav has alleged that he did not receive the support he expected from his former domestic team, Vidarbha, after returning from a serious injury. The 38-year-old claimed that the focus was on removing him from the picture rather than helping him continue his cricketing career.
Yadav, who has represented India in all three international formats, also called on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selectors to communicate clearly with players about their selection prospects. He believes that decisions should be based on performance and fitness rather than age alone.
Despite being out of the Indian team since 2023, the fast bowler remains active in domestic cricket and has not given up hope of making an international comeback.
Umesh Yadav says age should not determine selection
Yadav believes that a player’s age should not automatically become a barrier to selection. Speaking to Times Now, he said selectors should assess a cricketer’s performance, fitness and ability rather than focusing only on how old the player is.
The pacer argued that if a player is no longer able to maintain the required fitness levels or perform effectively, selectors should communicate their concerns directly.
According to Yadav, an honest assessment of a player’s bowling, pace and fielding can help everyone understand the situation. He said there is nothing wrong with telling a cricketer when their performance or fitness no longer meets the team’s requirements.
However, he maintained that age by itself should not be the deciding factor. Players who remain fit and continue to perform should have the opportunity to compete for selection.
Yadav’s comments reflect his belief that experienced cricketers should be judged on what they can contribute on the field rather than being overlooked because of their age.
Veteran pacer urges BCCI selectors to provide clarity
Yadav also stressed the importance of communication between selectors and players. He said cricketers should not be left uncertain about their chances of returning to the national side.
The fast bowler argued that when selectors have made a decision about a player, they should communicate it clearly. According to him, direct feedback would allow players to understand their position and make informed decisions about the next stage of their careers.
He said leaving players in uncertainty can create false hope about a possible comeback. Clear guidance, on the other hand, would help them decide how to approach the remaining years of their playing careers.
Yadav acknowledged that representing India again remains a major ambition for players who have previously worn the national jersey. He pointed out that cricketers naturally want another opportunity to play for their country.
For him, the issue is not simply whether a player gets selected. It is also about ensuring that the player understands what selectors expect and whether there is a realistic route back into the team.
Umesh Yadav compares his injury recovery with Mohammed Shami’s
Yadav discussed his recovery from a serious Achilles tendon injury and compared his experience with that of fellow India fast bowler Mohammed Shami.
He explained that Shami had suffered an Achilles tendon issue affecting around 20 per cent of the tendon, along with an injury to the heel bone. Yadav said his own injury was more extensive, involving a rupture that required surgical repair and grafting.
The recovery process proved demanding. Yadav said he spent a full year undergoing rehabilitation after attempting to return to competitive cricket. He also noted that additional physical problems can emerge during rehabilitation, making recovery more complicated than initially expected.
Despite these difficulties, Shami returned to international cricket. Yadav, however, believes the support he received from his domestic team was different from the backing Shami received from Bengal.
His comparison focused on the support available to players during their return from injury, particularly when they are trying to regain their form and fitness and remain in contention for national selection.
The fast bowler’s comments highlight the challenges experienced players can face when recovering from significant injuries while attempting to extend their careers.
Yadav alleges Vidarbha wanted him out of the picture
Yadav made his strongest allegations while discussing his experience with Vidarbha following his injury recovery.
He claimed that the support and backing he received after returning were not what he had expected. According to the pacer, there was a feeling that certain people wanted him removed from the team’s plans.
Yadav specifically referred to the Vidarbha coach, alleging that the coach was pleased by the prospect of his departure because it would leave fewer senior players in the setup.
The fast bowler suggested that his presence had become an obstacle to the coach’s authority within the team. He alleged that the coach believed his influence would increase once Yadav was no longer part of the picture.
These are Yadav’s allegations about his experience with the state side. The supplied report does not include a response from the former coach to the claims.
His comments nevertheless reveal the frustration he says he experienced while trying to return to cricket after a serious injury. For Yadav, the absence of adequate support made the process of rebuilding his career more difficult.
Umesh Yadav switches from Vidarbha to Punjab
Yadav’s relationship with Vidarbha has now come to an end after 18 years with the side. He made his first-class debut for Vidarbha in 2008 and represented the team throughout much of his domestic career.
Ahead of the 2026-27 domestic season, the fast bowler switched from Vidarbha to Punjab.
The move marks a new chapter for a player who has spent years representing his original state team while also establishing himself as an international cricketer. His decision comes after the difficulties he described following his injury and return to domestic cricket.
Although the supplied report does not detail the terms of the move, Yadav’s comments make clear that the support available to him was an important part of his experience with Vidarbha.
The change of domestic team also gives context to his remarks about the importance of a supportive environment for experienced players attempting to continue their careers.
India comeback remains a goal for the veteran pacer
Yadav last represented India in a Test match in 2023. Since then, injuries and the emergence of younger fast-bowling options have affected his chances of returning to the national side.
The pacer has played 57 Tests, 75 One-Day Internationals and nine T20 Internationals for India. His career has spanned a period in which the country developed a deeper pool of fast-bowling talent.
Now approaching his 39th birthday on October 25, Yadav continues to play domestic cricket and believes there should be no automatic age limit on a player’s ambitions.
His message to selectors is that performance, fitness and transparent communication should guide decisions. He also emphasised that players such as himself and Shami continue to love the sport and want to contribute for as long as they are able.
For Yadav, the remaining years of his career are about continuing to play competitive cricket while understanding clearly where he stands in the selection process.