Umesh Yadav marked his return to first-class cricket after nearly two years with a five-wicket haul for Punjab, helping restrict Assam to 373 on Day 2 of their Ranji Trophy encounter at the PCA International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh on Monday.
The 38-year-old, playing his first Ranji Trophy match since December 2024, returned figures of 5 for 70 from 24 overs across two days. He claimed two wickets on Sunday before adding three more on Monday to register the 16th five-wicket haul of his first-class career.
Umesh struck early on Day 1, bowling opener Rishav Das for a duck before dismissing No. 3 Rajveer Singh. He returned on Monday to clean up the lower order, removing Amlanjyoti Das, Mukhtar Hussain and Mohit Thakur as Punjab looked to keep Assam’s total in check.
He bowled 24 overs, one more than fellow pacer Gurnoor Brar, 26, who is regarded as one of Punjab’s promising fast-bowling prospects. The pair helped prevent Assam from pushing their total further despite substantial contributions from the top order.
Assam were powered by centuries from captain Danish Das and Sibsankar Roy, who remained unbeaten on 143. Their efforts ensured Punjab had to work hard for their wickets, even as Umesh and Gurnoor led the response with the ball.
The five-for marked a significant start to a new chapter for Umesh, who left Vidarbha after representing the state for much of his domestic career. He made his debut for Vidarbha in 2008 and joined Punjab as a guest player for the 2026-27 season, seeking a fresh opportunity to contribute in red-ball cricket.
His move to Punjab was driven, in part, by a desire to join a team with ambitions of competing for the title. Umesh has said he had waited for an opportunity to join a bigger domestic side after leaving Vidarbha, despite hearing doubts about whether a team would sign him at this stage of his career, according to Cricinfo.
Punjab’s decision to bring him on board has given the experienced India international another opportunity to contribute in red-ball cricket. His performance against Assam offered an early indication of the value he could bring to the attack, combining experience and sustained workload as Punjab looked to contain a side that had produced two centuries.
Umesh last played for India in the World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval in June 2023, and has not represented the country since. His career was subsequently disrupted by a serious Achilles tendon injury that required surgery in England and nearly a year of rehabilitation, with the 38-year-old later returning to competitive cricket for Vidarbha in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy last year.
Umesh went unsold at the IPL auction and missed the 2026 season as a player, instead taking up a commentary role during the tournament. He has since returned to red-ball cricket with Punjab, joining the side as a guest player for the 2026-27 domestic season.
His five-wicket haul against Assam, after bowling 24 overs across two days, offered an early demonstration of his ability to shoulder a substantial workload in red-ball cricket.
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