With three games remaining, he has replaced injured New Zealand pacer Doug Bracewell and has become the team’s second active foreign player for the season, along with South African Simon Harmer.
Umesh’s maiden County appearance came last season with Middlesex in Division Two, where he took four wickets at an average of 71.50.
His contract was terminated after three matches due to a quadriceps injury sustained during a One-Day Cup encounter against Gloucestershire.
Umesh will be in contention to play in Essex’s final three games against Middlesex (at home), Hampshire (at home), and Northamptonshire (away).
“I am really pleased to join Essex and make what I hope will be some valuable contributions to the team’s success this year,” he said in a media release issued by the club.
“I enjoyed playing in England with Middlesex last season, and it will be good to return and test myself in those conditions again, especially in the midst of a title race.”
Umesh has played 57 Tests, 75 ODIs, and nine T20Is for India, taking 288 international wickets.
His most recent red-ball appearance for India occurred a few months ago in the ICC World Test Championship Final against Australia at The Oval, where he took two wickets for 131 in a losing cause.
Speaking about having Umesh in the side, Essex head coach Anthony McGrath stated, “Umesh is a superb signing for us, and we all know what he will be able to bring to our attack at a crucial time of the season.”
“He is vastly experienced and has taken wickets at the top levels of the game for more than a decade now, so as well as contributing during our run-in, we hope he can pass on some of his wisdom to our young players too.”
Essex’s next County match is against Middlesex on September 4th.
(With inputs from PTI)