I haven’t been used properly by selectors in ODIs – Umesh Yadav

India’s fast bowler Umesh Yadav believes he hasn’t been used properly by selectors in the ODI format. Yadav last played an ODI in the Indian colours back in October 2018 against West Indies. Since then he hasn’t been selected in Indian squad. However, Yadav’s performance in the home conditions of the Test fold has been remarkable.

The fast bowler, who has the skills to clock the speed in excess of 140 kmph, has scalped 106 wickets in the 75 One Day matches he has played. However, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami performing consistently for India in limited-overs, Yadav hasn’t been able to get his opportunities.

Yadav believes he hasn’t been given a long haul by the selectors as he has been in and out of the team. The fast bowler added that he can prove he is a wicket taking bowler if he gets a chance in an ODI series.

“I haven’t understood that. White or red, the skill lies in swinging the ball,? I can do it as I have done it. Of course, the lengths will vary and that is obvious and down to cricketing intelligence. If I get a series of ODIs, I feel I can prove myself as a wicket-taking bowler. I do feel I haven’t been used properly by selectors in ODIs.” Umesh told the Indian Express.

On the other hand, Yadav rued the fact that he hasn’t been given consistent chances by the selectors. Umesh Yadav was the third highest wicket-taker in the 2015 World Cup as he had scalped 18 wickets but he didn’t get regular chances.

“Get a game here and there, then sit out for six months. It does get difficult. Career has never been stable. Always up and down. I did well at the 2015 World Cup, but then again out,” added Umesh.

In fact, it is not only white-ball format from which Yadav has been sidelined but he hardly gets his chances in the Test fold. As the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma have been consistent in the red ball version, Yadav has found it difficult to make a place for himself in the side.

“(You do feel a touch bad) that you aren’t getting as many chances. I used to feel a bit down in the past about sitting on the sidelines and watching. But it’s important that you make yourself understand the situation. I realised that it’s not healthy if I slip into pity. That feeling isn’t good as you won’t be able to perform well when you get a chance.

You can’t complain too much as the other three- Ishant (Sharma), (Mohammed) Shami and (Jasprit) Bumrah are bowling well. So I can understand that for team management, getting the right balance wouldn’t be easy. All four of us are experienced bowlers,” said Umesh.

Umesh Yadav could only take two wickets in his last Test match against New Zealand at Christchurch.

Written by: Gautam Chauhan