Umesh Yadav has earned a recall to Team India’s white-ball setup after a long time after Mohammed Shami tested positive for COVID-19. The fast bowler made it to the squad on the back of a stunning IPL and county stint as well. However, he has only played seven T20Is since making his debut in 2012. His last appearance in the format came in 2019.

While talking about that, Umesh Yadav said in an interview with journalist Vimal Kumar: “I did not play any white-ball cricket after playing for RCB in IPL 2020. I was doing well, practicing well, but I did not get the chance. No one was aware of how I was doing in the nets. Everyone got to see how well I was doing when I got a chance with KKR in IPL 2022. People got to understand that I was not just relaxing in the off season.”

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However, Umesh Yadav was roped in by the Delhi Capitals for the 2021 season, but he didn’t get a single chance as well. He went unsold in the first round of the IPL 2022 mega auction before KKR bought him for his base price of ₹2 crore in the next round as well. And, he did well, especially with the new ball. He will next play in the upcoming set of T20Is against Australia. India are scheduled to take on Australia in the first T20I on Tuesday, September 20.

“I made myself more competitive, since there are many new fast bowlers on the rise. They are doing pretty well and I had to reach to their level.”Brendon McCullum was there, and Bharat Arun knew me as well, they both understood my strengths, they gave me the freedom. They said, we don’t mind you conceding 40 runs, but we need wickets in the powerplay,” Umesh Yadav shared.

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He also opined that he is not behind in terms of fitness while comparing to the upcoming bunch of fast bowlers. His form with the white ball will be important for India as well.

“I like to think that I am pretty fit for someone my age and I am bowling well too. It feels good to be selected for the country, just looking forward to contributing whenever I get the chance. You could say that I was lucky, because not many matches were happening in India because of the rain, so got lucky with the Middlesex offer. I knew that only practicing and not playing any matches won’t amount to anything. When you play, your body remains in that environment, your muscles stay loose and you are more agile. I was enjoying my county stint, the weather in England is good,” Umesh Yadav concluded.