Selectors did not utilize me properly in ODIs: Umesh Yadav
Indian fast bowler Umesh Yadav recently opined about his snub from the white-ball format. According to the 32-year-old, the Indian selectors have not used him wisely in ODIs. Umesh, who was India's highest wicket-taker in the 2015 World Cup, also asserted that a bowler's skill remains the same, regardless of the format. Notably, the right-handed bowler last played an ODI in 2018 (vs Windies).
I can prove myself as a wicket-taking bowler, says Umesh
"Of course, the lengths will vary and that is obvious and down to cricketing intelligence. If I get an ODI series, I feel I can prove myself as a wicket-taking bowler. I haven't been used properly by selectors in ODIs," Umesh told the Indian Express.
His ODI career has been on the downslide
Despite proving himself as a comprehensive seamer, Umesh's ODI career has been impacted due to his inconsistency. From his ODI debut in 2010 to March 2015, Umesh scalped 67 wickets from 47 innings at 31.44. However, his average further dipped after World Cup 2015. Post April 2015 until now, he claimed 39 scalps in 26 innings at an average of 37.38.
Umesh has delivered the goods in Test cricket since 2018
Contrary to his ODI career, Umesh's recent Test numbers look bright. Since January 2018, the right-arm seamer has snapped up 45 wickets in 20 innings at 18.51. Moreover, 38 out of his 45 wickets during that period came in India wherein the decks are not tailor-made for fast bowling. He recently featured in the New Zealand Test series in Ishant Sharma's absence.
Umesh has no margin for error with quality seamers around
With the rise of India's contemporary bowling trio (Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah), Umesh has often been on the sidelines. "You can't complain too much as the other three are bowling well. So I can understand that for team management, getting the right balance wouldn't be easy," Umesh reiterated. He concluded, "All four of us are experienced bowlers."
