IPL 2025: ‘Frustrated and upset’ Umesh Yadav furious at auction rejection: “It’s up to the franchises…”
India’s out-of-favour fast bowler Umesh Yadav expressed his disappointment at going unsold in the mega auction of IPL 2025. Few expected the pacer to go unsold in the auction but he failed to attract a single bid.
Yadav has been playing in the IPL since the 2009 season and has not missed a single season since then. He started his IPL career with Delhi Capitals and started running, impressing one and all with his pace. The performance in his debut IPL season also helped Umesh Yadav earn his first call-up from the Indian team in 2010.
He won the IPL with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2014 while also working for two other franchises – Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans. In IPL 2024, Umesh Yadav was part of the Titans camp. He played 7 games last season and picked up 8 goals.
Experienced fast bowlers, especially Indian pacers, usually attract a lot of interest at the auction. However, all ten franchises decided to drop Umesh Yadav in the mega auction. And the senior pacer admitted that he was shocked by his failure to secure an IPL contract.
He did not hesitate to express his disappointment, saying that he felt bad. The Vidarbha star also said he was ‘upset and frustrated’ over what happened at the mega auction.
“Everybody knows that I have not been selected for IPL this year. I have been playing for 15 years. It (not being sold in IPL 2025) is very shocking to me. Why would I lie? It feels bad. After playing so much and playing close to 150 IPL matches, not to be selected, Umesh Yadav told Inside Sport.
“It’s down to the franchises and their strategies, or my name was late in the auction and they didn’t stay with the money. Regardless, something happened. I’m very frustrated and upset. But anyway, it’s okay. I can’t change either whose decision,” he added.
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I will quit cricket myself: Umesh Yadav
Speaking further, Yadav made it clear that he still has a lot of cricket left in him. Having undergone leg surgery earlier this year, he said he was determined to recover and said he would quit cricket himself the day he felt he could no longer bowl.
“After that I had a leg operation. Until I feel I can hit 140 kmph, I will bowl. When I can’t bowl, I will stop cricket myself. I won’t have to tell anyone,” said Umesh Yadav.
Umesh also lost his place in the Indian team. He last represented Team India during the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia. His last competitive match for Vidarbha was held in November last year.
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