Happy Birthday Umesh Yadav: Team India Pacer’s Top 10 Bowling Spells – News18

Last Updated:October 25, 2024, 07:00 IST

Thanks to his sheer pace and accurate line and length, Umesh Yadav quickly became a mainstay in the Indian Test squad.

Umesh Yadav celebrates his 37th birthday today on October 25, 2024. (Image: umeshyaadav/Instagram)

One of Team India’s premier fast-ballers in recent times, Umesh Yadav made his international debut in 2010. One year later, he received a maiden Test call-up to play against the West Indies in Delhi. The Maharashtra-born pacer did not take much time to prove his calibre with the red ball.

Thanks to his sheer pace and accurate line and length, Yadav quickly became a mainstay in the Indian Test squad. The right-arm speedster has represented India in 57 Tests and has fetched 170 wickets including three five-wicket hauls and a ten-for.

Umesh Yadav has also had a good career in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He has been playing in the franchise competition since 2010. After making his debut with Kolkata Knight Riders, Yadav represented four other teams including the 2022 champions Gujarat Titans. He has featured in 148 IPL matches and picked up 144 wickets.

As Umesh Yadav celebrates his 37th birthday today, let us take a look at his top ten performances.

Umesh Yadav’s Top 10 Performances

5/93 vs Australia, 2012

In the third Test at Perth, Umesh Yadav took a five-wicket haul as Australia were bundled out for 369. India faced a batting collapse and lost the fixture by an innings and 37 runs.

4/24 vs Rajasthan Royals, 2013

When he was associated with Delhi Capitals in 2013, Umesh Yadav recorded figures of 4/24 against Rajasthan Royals. He took the crucial wickets of Kushal Perera, Stuart Binny, Rahul Dravid and Brad Hodge. Despite Yadav’s commanding show, DC lost the match by five runs.

3/13 vs Punjab Kings, 2014

Umesh Yadav deserves much credit for Kolkata Knight Riders becoming the IPL champions in 2014. The right-arm pacer contributed with a match-winning spell in the playoff fixture against Punjab Kings. While defending 163, Yadav took three wickets and gave away just 13 runs in four overs. KKR won by 28 runs to secure their spot in the final.

3/43 vs Zimbabwe, 2015

Umesh Yadav bagged three wickets while giving away 43 runs in a crucial group-league fixture against Zimbabwe in the 2015 World Cup. Powered by his dominant bowling and contributions by the other pacers, India restricted their opponents to 287 runs and went on to win the match by six wickets.

4/31 vs Bangladesh, 2015

Umesh Yadav appeared at his devastating best in the quarter-final of the 2015 World Cup. Up against Bangladesh at the MCG, Yadav took a four-wicket haul when India had to defend 302. Bangladesh were ultimately all out at 193 runs in 45 overs.

4/32 vs Australia, 2017

Umesh Yadav demolished the Australian batting unit with his lethal pace in the Test series opener in 2017. David Warner, Matthew Wade, Steve O’Keefe and Nathan Lyon fell victim to Yadav. He took two more wickets in the second innings but India ultimately lost the match by 333 runs.

4/33 vs Punjab Kings, 2017

Umesh Yadav claimed the second four-wicket haul of his IPL career in the 2017 edition. The KKR fast bowler achieved the feat in a home game against Punjab Kings at Eden Gardens. The hosts registered an eight-wicket win in the match, chasing down a 171-run target in 16.3 overs.

6/88 & 4/45 vs West Indies, 2018

Umesh Yadav recorded the best bowling figures in an innings during a Hyderabad Test against West Indies in 2018. He took six wickets while conceding 88 runs in 26.4 overs. The Indian pacer was equally impressive in the second innings and claimed four wickets as India notched a ten-wicket victory.

3/37 & 3/22 vs South Africa, 2019

Umesh Yadav took six wickets across the two innings in a home Test against South Africa in 2019 in Pune. He dismissed Aiden Markram, Dean Elgar and Theunis de Bruyn in the first innings. After the Proteas were asked to follow on, Yadav ripped through their lower order to help India win the match by an innings and 137 runs.

4/23 vs Punjab Kings, 2022

Umesh Yadav put up an enthralling bowling performance for Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2022 IPL. He registered a four-for in a match against Punjab Kings who were forced to wrap up their innings with 137 runs. KKR chased down the target comfortably to secure a six-wicket win.