IPL 2021 Auction: Saba Karim opines on Umesh’s low price tag, says, ‘Umesh Yadav may be experienced but only in terms of Test matches, not in the shorter formats’

IPL 2021 Auction: Saba Karim opines on Umesh’s low price tag, says, ‘Umesh Yadav may be experienced but only in terms of Test matches, not in the shorter formats’
Saba Karim (left) and Umesh Yadav (right)

Former Indian cricketer, who has served as BCCI national selector, Saba Karim, reasoned for the low bid for Indian pacer Umesh Yadav. Karim feels that Yadav’s lack of experience in white-ball cricket was the reason for his cheap buy.

Umesh Yadav triggered negligible interest from the franchises and was bought by Delhi Capitals at the base price of 1 crore.

Umesh Yadav was bought back by the Delhi Capitals after 7 years

Umesh Yadav limps off the field
Umesh Yadav

“Umesh Yadav may be experienced but only in terms of Test matches, not in the shorter formats. Look at the Indian side’s composition in the shorter formats, you don’t see Umesh Yadav figuring regularly in the playing XI or even in the squad. It obviously means that Umesh Yadav’s track record in the shorter formats hasn’t been very good. All the IPL franchises have done their homework and that is why they have shown more faith in overseas speedsters than any exciting domestic prospect or even an experienced Indian pacer like Umesh Yadav,” Karim told Sportskeeda.

“Out and out speedsters, most of the franchises have opted for overseas professionals [sic]. All these IPL franchises, their talent scouts have looked around, they have watched some of these T20s all over the world, including the Big Bash. From there, a lot of these overseas professionals have been bought by the IPL franchises.

“Franchises have shown faith in these young speedsters because they feel that they have the skill set to do well even in Indian conditions. If you notice, in the past several years, most of the wickets in India, except for maybe east and one or two tracks in south, now offer good pace and bounce. Most of these franchises wanted experienced speedsters at the top, who can pick some early wickets, and make early inroads in the opposition camp,” Karim added.

Umesh Yadav made his IPL debut in 2010 for Delhi Capitals (Delhi Daredevils then) and played five seasons for them. He then featured for Kolkata Knight Riders, where he played from 2014 to 2017. He was then bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore, where he played between 2018 and 2020 before being released by the franchise before the IPL 2021 auction.

Yadav has played 121 matches and picked 119 wickets.

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