From time to time we have seen Test specialists speaking about their comeback in the white-ball cricket. Ravichandran Ashwin and Ajinkya Rahane have openly expressed interest to play the limited-overs cricket. Now, pacer Umesh Yadav has also joined the league. Speaking of his comeback in white-ball cricket, Umesh opined that he is working hard to earn the spot.
In ODIs, Umesh last featured with the team in 2018 against West Indies where he proved to be expensive. With the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah, he was dropped from the team. In T20Is, he was dropped after he went wicketless against Australia at home, last year.
However, he was recalled to the Test side after Jasprit Bumrah was injured ahead of the South Africa Test series. The Vidarbha player fully utilised the opportunity and was the most beneficial bowler in the last year’s home season.
Desperate to make a comeback in the white-ball cricket: Umesh Yadav
Speaking to Times of India, Umesh expressed that he is desperate to make a comeback in the shorter formats. He added that he was disappointed after he was excluded from the 2019 World Cup.
I am desperate to play white-ball cricket,” Umesh told Timesofindia.com in an exclusive interview.
“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 and 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 said.
Thankful to selectors: Umesh Yadav
The pacer also expressed his gratitude for giving him opportunities till now. Besides, Umesh said that he is sweating hard on domestic grounds to make a return in the limited-overs cricket.
“I am seriously looking forward to this. 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 added.
Meanwhile, the 32-year-old is busy playing Ranji Trophy matches for Vidarbha. Lastly, he played against Gujarat where he picked five wickets. However, Gujarat won that particular match.
Also, he will likely get the place in India’s Test squad against New Zealand.