Young pacer Mayank Yadav made an unforgettable entry into the IPL with a standout performance, picking up three wickets on his debut against Punjab Kings. His explosive pace and raw talent immediately caught the eye of cricket pundits, and his subsequent three-wicket haul against Royal Challengers Bangalore further fueled the buzz around him. At just 22, he was being hailed as the next big thing in Indian fast bowling, a future star with the potential to shine on the international stage.
However, just as his journey was gathering momentum, Mayank suffered a setback—a side strain that forced him out of IPL 2024 after only four matches. The injury was a blow not just to the youngster but also to fans and selectors who were eager to see him continue his impressive run.
Recognizing his potential, the BCCI took swift action, ensuring he received top-notch care at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), where doctors and physiotherapists worked tirelessly to nurse him back to full fitness. Although there were hopes of his inclusion in the Duleep Trophy, the selectors chose to be cautious, deciding not to rush him into red-ball cricket too soon.
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Now fully recovered, Mayank is training at a special camp alongside established players like Hardik Pandya, Riyan Parag, and Abhishek Sharma. The camp aims to help these players shake off any rustiness and get back to peak form.
‘Fit’ Mayank Yadav in special camp with HP, Riyan & Abhishek ahead of T20Is against Bangladesh
Asked to start with T20s
No Ranji clearance
May travel with India team during NZ series
Bowling 20 overs a day at NCA
https://t.co/b9nXOk4lsl— Arani Basu (@AraniBasuTOI) September 28, 2024
According to reports, Mayank is being considered for the upcoming five-match T20I series against Bangladesh, and his inclusion in the camp suggests he is very much in the selectors’ plans for the future. He has been training rigorously with the T20I probables, indicating the selectors’ keen interest in assessing his readiness for international cricket.
A BCCI source confirmed his progress, stating, “Mayank hasn’t reported any discomfort over the past month. He’s bowling at full pace at the NCA, and the selectors are eager to see if he’s ready for international cricket. With a busy Test season ahead, they’re looking to test new talent in the T20Is against Bangladesh.”
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India head coach Gautam Gambhir and bowling coach Morne Morkel, who have worked closely with Mayank during their time at Lucknow Super Giants, share a high opinion of him. The source added, “The selectors don’t want to limit him to just T20s. They’ll carefully monitor his progress, as Gambhir and Morkel rate him very highly.” This careful approach could be the key to ensuring Mayank’s long-term success across formats.
