Punjab rope in 38-year-old Umesh Yadav to end 34-year Ranji drought

In a first for Punjab cricket, the PCA have signed veteran India pacer Umesh Yadav as a guest player for the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy season. With Arshdeep Singh and Gurnoor Brar expected to be away on India duty, Punjab are banking on Umesh's experience and red-ball pedigree in their bid to win their first Ranji title since 1992.