India pacer Mayank Yadav said that staying motivated through injury setbacks was definitely challenging, but the motivation of playing for India kept him going, following India’s comprehensive win over Zimbabwe in the 1st T20I as well. However, Mayank played a key role in India’s victory in the opener in Harare as he returned figures of 2/18 from his four overs as well.

“It was very difficult [to keep myself motivated], especially this two-year gap was very challenging for me as a person because the main thing is age wasn’t on my side at that time. I was only 22 or 23 years old,” Mayank told reporters after his Player of the Match-worthy exploits in the 1st T20I.

“So that thing always affected me that at such a young age, I’m having to see so much. At the same time, the motivation to play for the country exists from childhood for every player. So that motivation was there for me that I should return to play for the country and perform the way I did,” he again added.

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However, Mayank Yadav was partnered alongside another quick in Ashok Sharma, and Prince Yadav, who debuted on the recent UK tour as well. While Mayank also said that there was no conversation among them regarding their pace, he added that he relayed necessary information to his colleagues after his successful first over as well.

“We don’t talk much about pace but we share a very good bond,” Mayank said. “When I bowled my first over, whatever help I got, I shared it with Ashok and Prince as well on what was the best option to attack. We were in a strong condition [position] after the first six overs so [we spoke about] how we can squeeze them further.”

“I didn’t speak much to him before the match. But when he was captaining, I felt that he showed a lot of confidence in the bowlers and I felt very good that whatever I wanted to bowl, he backed that,” Mayank said. “When he gave me some advice too, I felt very confident that I can back that and it was a good option. I felt very free playing with him. It’s the first time I’m playing under his captaincy, I’ve only seen him lead on TV or with other teams so it felt very good.”