Really thankful to KKR for picking me and showing faith: Umesh Yadav

Indian pacer Umesh Yadav was delighted to be back in the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) setup after getting picked up for his base price the third time his name popped up in the IPL 2022 mega auction. Yadav is far more experienced now, having been around the international circuit for a long time, and is a regular in the Indian Test squad as well. The 34-year-old has played 121 IPL games picking up 119 wickets at an average of 30.1 and at an economy rate of 8.51.

Yadav’s best IPL season came in 2018 for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) when he finished in the top five for the Purple Cap race and managed to pick up 20 wickets in 14 games. The right-arm quick has the ability to bowl some beautiful outswingers upfront and is far more effective with the new ball than in the latter stages of the game. However, he hasn’t played many games in the last two editions and KKR will be hoping that Umesh has a good season which will solve a lot of issues for the franchise.

I am sure our captain Shreyas will take KKR to a title win: Umesh Yadav

Yadav showed his gratitude to the KKR franchise for believing in him in the last stages of the auction and talked about his good relationship with the franchise, having been part of it from 2014 to 2017. He noted his excitement of coming back to the franchise and recalled the 2014 title-winning season where he was also part of the squad. The Vidarbha lad was confident that the new KKR skipper Shreyas Iyer will take them to glory this year.

“When my name came up in the last auction, I went unsold. When my name came up for the second time, I again went unsold. KKR picked me when my name was called for the third time. I am really thankful to KKR for picking me and showing faith in me. I played for KKR from 2014 to 2017 and maintained a good relationship with them,” Umesh told Times of India.

“I am really happy and excited to be back at KKR again. I am sure our captain Shreyas will take KKR to a title win. We have got a strong squad. I was part of this squad in 2014 when they won the title and I am happy to be back,” he added.

KKR will start their campaign against CSK in the season opener on March 26 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.