India vs West Indies 2018: No Communication Problem With Selectors Says Umesh Yadav

Team India speedster Umesh Yadav has stated that he has had no issues with the selectors each time he has failed to be a part of the Playing XI of the Indian Test team. Umesh Yadav didn’t play any of the Tests in South Africa. He was part of the playing XI in just a solitary Test in England. However, he was back in the Playing XI as India registered their largest victory in Test cricket by an innings and 272 runs.

The communication between the selectors, team management and the players has come under the scanner after Karun Nair and Murali Vijay said they did not have any communication when they were dropped from the Test squad. Umesh Yadav has played 19 Tests in the subcontinent since the 2016-17 season. The pacer has bagged 41 wickets in those matches. However, Umesh was part of the playing XI just once in tours of South Africa and England.

No communication gap with India selectors says Umesh Yadav

“Definitely,” he told ESPNcricinfo when asked if the management kept him informed on why he has not been picked regularly. “So that communication is there. Like, in England, I played the first Test. In the second Test, they felt they should play a spinner, but with the rain, all plans were changed. Nobody can do anything about it. Their decision went a little bit wrong. Still, they had told me, ‘It’s not that we are dropping you, Umesh. But our thinking and planning is for an extra spinner, that’s it.’

“Then, when Bumrah got fit, he was coming in after already having done well in South Africa. And in the first match, Ishant (Sharma) and (Mohammed) Shami had performed well, so they had to get the nod [ahead of me]. Then they kept doing well, so I also knew that it would be difficult to get a chance. I couldn’t even say, “I should get a chance”, because the guys were taking 20 wickets in every match. I knew I would have to wait for my chance. After playing for a few years, I have that much honesty and awareness to know when I should get a chance and when I shouldn’t.”

Umesh Yadav said he understands the combination of a team

Umesh Yadav further stated that he understands the combination of a team and why he is not part of the Playing XI on most occasions. Jasprit Bumrah has already become a spearhead of the Indian pace attack while Ishant Sharma is only around in the longest format. He was also rested for the series against Windies.

“Sometimes the team combination is such that you have to sit out,” he said. “The selectors and our management committee also wouldn’t want me to sit out. They know Umesh is bowling well, so they also feel bad telling me that I have to sit out. But if your team combination doesn’t sit right, then it will be an even bigger problem. I can’t complain. I have also got lots of chances, I’ve played lots of Tests continuously.

“Yes, the hope is always there that if you have done well in India, you get a chance outside, where you have better opportunities to take wickets. But that chance has gone now and I can’t do anything about it. Now I need to give such strong performances when I get the opportunity that people will have to think that I have to play.”