India's out-of-favour pacer Umesh Yadav is still shocked and heartbroken after going unsold in the IPL 2025 mega auction. A veteran of the IPL with 144 wickets in 148 matches across four franchises (Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi Capitals, and Gujarat Titans), Umesh had consistently been a sought-after player in the glitzy league. Notably, he was acquired for a whopping amount of Rs 5.80 crore in the previous season (IPL 2024). Playing for Gujarat Titans he took 8 wickets in seven matches in IPL 2024, his last IPL appearance.
Why should I lie? It feels bad: Umesh Yadav on IPL snub
However, despite his impressive track record, Umesh failed to lure any bidders from the franchises in the auction held in Jeddah.
Reacting to his IPL snub, Umesh expressed his shock at being overlooked in the mega auction. He said that he has been an integral part of the IPL for the past 15 years, making his exclusion from the auction a particularly surprising and disheartening experience.
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“Everyone knows that I wasn’t selected for the IPL this year. I have been playing for 15 years. It (unsold at IPL 2025) is very shocking for me. Why should I lie? It feels bad. After playing so much and playing close to 150 IPL matches, you don’t get selected. It’s shocking,” Umesh Yadav told Inside Sport.
Umesh's performance in IPL 2024, where he played seven games for Gujarat Titans and claimed eight wickets at an average of 26.25 and an economy rate of 10, might not have met the expectations of some franchises. While acknowledging that player selection ultimately rests with the individual teams, Umesh attributed his unsold status in the IPL 2025 auction to the timing of his name appearing in the auction list. He suggested that most franchises might have already exhausted their budgets by the time his name came up for bidding. Despite attempting to understand the rationale behind the franchises' decisions, Umesh expressed his frustration and disappointment at being overlooked.
“It’s upon the franchises and their strategies, or my name came late in the auction, and they weren’t left with money. Regardless, something has happened. I am very frustrated and disturbed. But still, it’s okay. I can’t change anyone’s decision,” he added.
The 37-year-old also addressed his retirement plans, stressing on his intention to continue playing cricket as long as he maintains the ability to bowl at a competitive pace. He stated that he would consider retiring from the game only when he feels he can no longer consistently bowl at speeds exceeding 140 kilometers per hour.
Umesh's recent appearances for the Indian national team were in the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia. Throughout his illustrious career, Umesh has represented India in 57 Test matches, 75 One Day Internationals, and 9 Twenty20 Internationals, accumulating an impressive tally of 170 Test wickets, 106 ODI wickets, and 12 T20I wickets.
“After that, I had my leg surgery. Till I feel I can clock 140 kmph, I will bowl. When I won’t be able to bowl, I’ll quit cricket myself. I won’t have to tell this to anyone,” Umesh concluded.