OTD | Indian fast bowler Umesh Yadav was born today in 1987

On this day Indian speedster Umesh Yadav is celebrating his 36th birthday. The career of Umesh Yadav is one of massive trials and tribulations. He came from a humble background but made his mark on the biggest stage of Cricket. His role was vital in forming the core of Virat Kohli’s era of test resurgence. Kohli led India to a renaissance of test cricket and Yadav was one of his trusted assets. 

The Beginning

Umesh Yadav made his first-class debut in 2008, playing for Vidarbha against Madhya Pradesh. Almost two years later he got his opportunity to represent India, in the One-Day format. He got his chance on the Zimbabwe tour. 

Yadav broke into the Indian test side in 2011. His performances in the domestic circuit were given recognition in the test series against West Indies. Yadav would go on to become one of the mainstays of the Indian test squad. 

Overview

His best figures in test cricket also came against West Indies when he took 6 wickets for 88 runs in the first innings of the Hyderabad Test in 2018. Later he backed up that performance with a 4-fer in the second innings completing a memorable 10-wicket haul in that match. 

Yadav has so far played 57 test matches, taking 170 wickets at an average of 30.95. He is known to be a workhorse. He has the potential to bowl long spells in test cricket, especially in testing conditions in India where there is no such assistance to the fast bowlers. 

Umesh Yadav also has a noticeable white-ball career. He has 106 wickets in 75 One-Day Internationals. Currently, he finds himself unable to make a space for himself in the Test squad but his contribution to Indian cricket in recent years is very significant. 

He has a few years of cricket left in him and every Indian Cricket fan hopes that he can make a comeback in the test side for one last time and leave the international stage with a befitting departure. 

Also read: OTD| Star Indian wicketkeeper-batter Wriddhima Saha was born today in 1984