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Umesh Yadav Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 14, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth25 October 1987

Age37 Years

BirthplaceKhaparkheda, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India

ProfessionCricketer (Bowler); Investor; Indian government employee

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseTanya Wadhwa

FamilyTwo daughters: Hunarr (b. 1 Jan 2021), Dhriti (b. 8 Mar 2023)

Umesh Yadav Biography

Right-arm fast bowler Umeshkumar Tilak Yadav rose from local cricket in Nagpur to represent India across formats and become a regular presence in the IPL.‑

Early life and background

Umeshkumar Tilak Yadav was born on 25 October 1987 in Khaparkheda, Nagpur, Maharashtra. He grew up in a family with roots in Deoria, Uttar Pradesh, and attended local schools including Shankarrao Chavan Vidyalaya in Khaparkheda and Government Higher Secondary School, Walani. He later studied at Arts, Commerce and Science College, Koradi and was pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce degree as of 2012. From childhood he enjoyed athletics as well as cricket, competing in sprint events and showing the speed and athleticism that would later define his bowling.

Career

Yadav made early strides in regional cricket playing for Vidarbha Gymkhana and rose quickly through the domestic ranks. In his debut Ranji season (2008–09) he took 20 wickets in four matches, performances that led to selection for Central Zone and appearances in the Duleep Trophy, where he claimed notable scalps early in his career.

He entered the Indian Premier League with Delhi (then Delhi Daredevils) and made his IPL debut in March 2010. Yadav's domestic progress translated into international opportunities: he made his ODI debut on 28 May 2010 against Zimbabwe, his Test debut on 6 November 2011 versus the West Indies, and his T20 international debut on 7 August 2012 against Sri Lanka. Across formats he became known for raw pace, regularly clocking deliveries in the 140–150 kph range and occasionally faster.

In Test cricket Yadav produced a number of strong performances, including a five-wicket haul during the 2011–12 series in Australia and a ten-wicket match in Hyderabad against the West Indies in 2018 when he took six wickets in the first innings and four in the second. He was part of India’s 2015 World Cup campaign where he finished with 18 wickets in eight matches, and he played in the 2023 ICC World Test Championship final.

Yadav has been a familiar presence in the IPL across multiple franchises. After early seasons with Delhi he spent time with Kolkata Knight Riders (2014–2017, 2022–2023), Royal Challengers Bangalore (2018–2021), returned to Delhi in 2021, and was sold to Gujarat Titans ahead of the 2024 season. He has also had stints in county cricket with Middlesex and Essex.

Off the field Yadav has diversified his pursuits. He invested as an angel backer in a Kolkata-based fashion portal in 2015 and opened the Umesh Yadav Sports Academy outside Nagpur in 2016, offering multi-sports training and associated facilities. In 2017 he took a role with the Reserve Bank of India as an Assistant Manager in its Nagpur office.

Public profile

Yadav’s on-field persona is often described as aggressive and he bowls right-arm fast with a preference for yorkers. He wears jersey number 19 for India and has been recognised with honours including Wisden India Cricketer of the Year (2013). He is remembered for physical fitness and an athletic build that enabled his pace; one of his fastest recorded deliveries reached 155.5 kph.

Personal life

Umesh Yadav is married to fashion designer Tanya Wadhwa; the couple were engaged in April 2013 and married in May 2013. They have two daughters, Hunarr (born 1 January 2021) and Dhriti (born 8 March 2023). His parents were Tilak Yadav, a former wrestler and later coal-mine worker who died in February 2023, and Kishori Devi, who died in February 2011. He has two older brothers and a sister.

Yadav follows Hinduism and is a devotee of Lord Shiva. He maintains an athletic lifestyle, enjoys travelling and swimming, and is known to be a dog lover. He has several tattoos and collects cars and bikes.

Latest updates

In December 2023 Yadav was bought by the Gujarat Titans at the IPL auction for the 2024 season. Earlier in 2023 he played in the World Test Championship final. Off the field, he has pursued business interests and runs a sports academy near Nagpur. He has also been involved in a legal dispute reported in January 2023 concerning a property transaction handled by a former manager.
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Recent Work

Gujarat Titans (IPL)

Acquired at the 2024 IPL auction for the Gujarat Titans.

2024
Umesh Yadav Sports Academy

Multi‑sports training academy and associated facilities opened outside Nagpur.

2016
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Career Highlights

  1. Made international debuts across formats: ODI (2010), Test (2011) and T20 (2012)
  2. Five-wicket haul in Australia series (2011–12) and ten-wicket match against West Indies (2018)
  3. 18 wickets in eight matches during the 2015 ODI World Cup
  4. Wisden India Cricketer of the Year (2013)
  5. First player from Vidarbha area of Maharashtra to play for India
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Umesh Yadav born?

25 October 1987

What is Umesh Yadav known for?

Cricketer (Bowler); Investor; Indian government employee

What is Umesh Yadav’s marital status?

Married

Who is Umesh Yadav married to?

Tanya Wadhwa