Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has praised Mayank Yadav for producing a memorable comeback in the first T20I against Zimbabwe, while also underlining just how difficult it is for a young fast bowler to recover from repeated stress fractures and other serious injuries. Ashwin said the physical strain is obvious, but the mental battle can be just as demanding for someone trying to rebuild his career after long layoffs.
Mayank returned to international cricket at the Harare Sports Club on Thursday, July 23, and made an immediate impact after being sidelined for almost two years with a lumbar stress fracture, hamstring issues, and side strains. The Lucknow Super Giants pacer rewarded India’s faith in him with a Player of the Match performance, reminding everyone why he is considered one of the most exciting fast-bowling prospects in the country.
Speaking on his podcast Ash ki Baat, Ashwin said fans often overlook the toll that repeated injuries take on a young cricketer. He stressed that no player chooses to be injured and that the recovery process can become increasingly difficult when setbacks keep recurring.
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“It is not easy to go through a stress fracture at a young age. We often see and think, why is he always retained? He is always injured. We easily tell this. No player plays to get injured. Injury can be very painful,” Ravichandran Ashwin said. “It is not just physical but also a mental barrier, especially if you are injured twice. It is not easy on the body. If it resurfaces, it plays on your mind. Mayank Yadav has a lot of time and is exceptionally talented. I want him to play more,” he added.
Mayank’s road back has been a long one, marked by a lumbar stress fracture, lower-back spasms, side strains and a hamstring tear. Yet Lucknow Super Giants continued to back him, retaining the 24-year-old across the last two IPL seasons. That patience was rewarded in Harare, where he announced his return in style.
In his first international appearance since October 2024, Mayank struck with the very first ball of the match, dismissing Zimbabwe opener Brian Bennett for a duck with a delivery that found the outside edge. He maintained his pace and control throughout the powerplay before picking up Dion Myers to finish with superb figures of 2/18 in four overs.
His spell gave India crucial early control in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and helped end the team’s recent losing run. The performance also strengthened his case as a serious option for India’s long-term plans, including the 2026 T20 World Cup.
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Ravichandran Ashwin also congratulated Shreyas Iyer for registering his first win as India’s T20I captain, saying the victory had come at an important time after defeats in series against Ireland and England earlier in the summer. “Congratulations to Shreyas for the first win. He would have been searching for it. There is not a lot to see when you restrict Zimbabwe to 120-odd. Mayank, Prince, and Ashok all got an opportunity,” Ashwin said.
After strong spells from Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav, India restricted Zimbabwe to 125 before chasing the target in just 13.2 overs. Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi smashed 50 off 19 balls, while Ishan Kishan remained unbeaten on 35 to complete a dominant all-round victory.
