Nagpur: Veteran India pacer Umesh Yadav has begun a new chapter in his domestic career, signing with Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) for the upcoming season after ending his nearly 17-year association with Vidarbha.
The soon-to-be 39-year-old pacer confirmed on Wednesday that he had signed a contract with Punjab, saying his decision was driven by a desire to remain with a strong domestic side rather than move to what he described as a “minor” team.
“I have signed a contract with Punjab and I am thankful to the PCA management for giving me a chance to represent their side,” Yadav said. He also expressed gratitude to the association for making him the first professional cricketer recruited in the 34-year history of the PCA.
Yadav said he was keen to join a team with a strong record in domestic cricket after leaving Vidarbha.
“I was in search of a big team which is doing well in the domestic circuit. I was playing for a good team, Vidarbha, no doubt. But after I left Vidarbha, there were murmurs in VCA corridors that Umesh would only get a chance to play for a small team, perhaps from the Northeast. I decided to join a team which is strong and doing well,” he said.
The veteran pacer, who has 124 First-Class appearances and 380 wickets to his name, insisted that he still has plenty to offer on the field.
“I know how much cricket is left in me and I will give my 100 per cent for Punjab,” he said.
Yadav also spoke openly about his disappointment with the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA), particularly the treatment he received following a leg injury that required surgery.
“When I got injured, the association neglected me. They did not give me any chance to prove myself after my recovery. They did not pick me in either one-day or any other format last season,” he said.
Yadav maintained that he needed time to regain his rhythm after surgery and rejected any suggestion that a limited number of matches meant his career was nearing its end.
“I am not Superman to return with a bagful of wickets. Of the two Ranji matches I played, I did well in one. That does not mean I am finished,” he said.
He further claimed that no one from the association discussed his future with him before decisions were taken by the coaching and selection setup.
“I was not comfortable in such an environment which was not conducive for me. Nobody sat and talked with me. Hence, I decided to move to a team which is more adoptive,” Yadav said.
At Punjab, Yadav is expected to shoulder a significant responsibility with the side’s leading pacers Arshdeep Singh and Gurnoor Brar likely to be away on India duty for a substantial part of the domestic season.
Yadav said he was aware of the situation when he joined Punjab and was prepared to take the young bowling attack under his wing.
“Punjab is a State where cricketers are hungry for success. I knew Arshdeep and Gurnoor would be on India duty and would not be available for the entire domestic season. So it will be my job to take the young bowling unit along and share my international experience with the team,” he said.
Yadav has represented India in 57 Tests and 75 ODIs, claiming 170 Test wickets. His move to Punjab also marks a significant change for the PCA, which has traditionally relied on players from within its system.
“More than feeling proud, I am thankful to PCA for giving me the opportunity. I contacted them very late as I was being approached by several other States. I am thankful to PCA for giving me an opportunity in such a short period,” said Yadav, who will turn 39 on October 25.
