Umesh Yadav takes five-for on Punjab Ranji debut
Umesh Yadav marks his Punjab debut with a five-wicket haul as Assam lead by 86 runs.
Umesh Yadav claimed five wickets for 70 on his first Ranji Trophy appearance for Punjab against Assam at Mullanpur. The 38-year-old, playing his first first-class match since June 2023, removed Rishav Das, Rajveer Singh, Amlanjyoti Das, Mukhtar Hussain and Mohit Thakur.
Assam reached 373 after centuries from Denish Das and Sibsankar Roy. Punjab replied with 287 for five, Vihaan Malhotra scoring 103 on debut before Assam took the second new ball with two wickets in hand.
Gurnoor Brar and Emanjot Singh Chahal each took two wickets for Punjab. Assam will resume on day four with a narrow first-innings lead.
CricHubb Take
The 38-year-old's return shows that fast-bowling fitness, not age, remains the decisive factor in selection debates across formats.