With the 2026 IPL mini auction nearing, franchises will look to strengthen their departments, fast bowling being one of them. In such a scenario, India's veteran fast bowler Umesh Yadav comes on the scene. Even though he might not attract a huge bid, he is likely to be a good steal for the teams. Notably, Umesh Yadav underwent surgery amidst the 2024 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He did not appear in the 2025 IPL, and is believed to have recovered from it. Even though the category is not clarified yet, reports have claimed that Umesh Yadav has registered himself for the IPL mini auction. Why can teams go for Umesh Yadav in IPl 2025 Mini Auction? No doubt Umesh Yadav brings in experience inthe team. Plus, he has has been a key bowler in the powerplay, having 49 wickets in the first 6 overs to his name till 2002, one of the best among the fast bowlers in IPL. Overall, Umesh has played around 148 IPL matches and taken 144 wickets overall. His career bowling average in IPL is about 29.8 and his economy is about 8.45 runs per over. He has a best bowling figure in an IPL match of 4/23. IN 2012, he was the fourth-highest wicket taker of the season, taking 19 wickets in 17 matches, averaging 23.84. However, his best season was for RCB in 2018, when he took 20 wickets in 14 matches — a strong haul for a T20 season. In 2022, he delivered one of his best performances for KKR, taking a four-fer against Punjab Kings. Read also: 4 Ashes 2025-26 Players Who Could Earn Big at the IPL 2026 Auction Which teams may target Umesh Yadav? Sunrisers Hyderabad may look at Umesh Yadav because they lack experienced Indian pacers after several recent releases and have a large purse to rebuild. They need a powerplay bowler who can swing the new ball without occupying an overseas slot. In that role, Umesh becomes a low-cost, high-value option who brings reliability and experience. Kolkata Knight Riders could target him as they have a massive purse and many open slots, especially in the Indian fast-bowling department. Eden Gardens often helps swing bowlers early on, a condition Umesh has thrived in during previous seasons. His familiarity with KKR and his budget-friendly price tag make him a sensible fit for their balance. Royal Challengers Bengaluru might consider Umesh because their Indian pace depth remains thin despite retaining a strong core. They have long struggled with taking early wickets, an area where Umesh has historically excelled. As a short-term, low-risk signing, he allows RCB to stabilize their bowling attack while reserving overseas slots for other roles. Rajasthan Royals may also be interested since their Indian fast-bowling unit has weakened after multiple releases. They cannot rely solely on overseas pacers due to the four-foreign-player rule, making a domestic seamer essential. Umesh provides experience, new-ball control, and affordability, fitting perfectly into their structural needs. Why Umesh Yadav may get unsold? Umesh Yadav happens to be very injury prone. He has a long history of injury. Recently, after the surgery, he hasn't played many domestic games to examine his performances. Being in his late 30s, he has high chance of going unsold, especially teams may be willing to spend a penny on hism. In that case, they would like to got for a younger domestic player, in case they have financial restrictions.