The boy who swept all the dirt of coal mines and rose above the ranks, India’s speedster Umesh Yadav, shared his first dream, which was surprisingly not cricket. Coming from Walani village, 25 km away from Nagpur, Umesh Yadav spoke about how his dream was to be in the police service rather than cricket. Coming from a humble background where his father, Tilak Yadav, was a coal miner, Umesh revealed that cricket was only a way to earn extra money. That’s why his love for thumping batters started.
The famous story is how he narrowly failed to make the cut in his first attempt. By the time he got ready to try for the police job again, he was already set for cricket. Speaking exclusively to InsideSport, he explained more about his dream of being in the army and the reason he wanted to join.
Umesh Yadav on India’s armed forces
“I hold immense respect and admiration for our armed forces, whose courage and dedication to safeguarding our nation go beyond words. Standing on the borders, knowing that a bullet could strike at any moment, takes extraordinary mental toughness and love for the country. Though I couldn’t join the military myself, I salute those heroes who put their lives on the line for our safety and freedom.
The discipline, resilience, and commitment they embody are lessons for all of us. I want to contribute to their cause in any way I can – whether it’s through support, conversations to understand their challenges, or sharing their inspiring stories. For me, their sacrifices are a reminder that serving the nation goes far beyond personal gain. My mission now is to ensure their efforts are acknowledged, respected, and celebrated, while finding ways to give back to the heroes who keep our nation secure.” Yadav told to InsideSport
Umesh Yadav’s remarkable cricketing journey
57 Tests, 75 ODIs, 9 T20Is, and countless memories for cricket fans , during his peak form, he was exceptional with the ball, especially in Test cricket, taking 170 wickets. Along with Mohammed Shami, he ruled the Indian pitches with his breathtaking deliveries.
Although Yadav’s dream was to join the police service, what he did for Indian cricket has certainly made fans proud of his career.
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