The first week of IPL 2024 saw the arrival of a 21-year-old pacer. With a speed of 150 kmph and six wickets in the first two matches, Lucknow Super Giants’ Mayank Yadav was already tipped as a future Indian star and there were calls to include him in the 2024 T20 World Cup squad and take him on India’s tour of Australia. With the T20 World Cup over and the Australia tour just around the corner, the hype around Mayank Yadav has died down. In fact, the fast bowler has not played a single game since the IPL.
Yadav is said to be recovering from an injury and is not ready to bowl yet. The pacer, who turned 22 in June, is spending time at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.
“He has been at the NCA every other week for the last three months. We are hoping he will be back in top condition before the first Ranji Trophy match,” a Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) official told The Indian Express.
Former Delhi U19 coach and Mayank’s mentor Narender Negi said bowling 12-15 overs a day is part of Mayank’s routine as he returns to cricket. Mayank recently withdrew from the ongoing Delhi Premier League 2024.
“He has been given a routine by the physiotherapist at NCA. They are monitoring his body. He has been told to build strength and build up his leg and back muscles. They are being very careful with Mayank,” Negi said.
“He is a special talent and BCCI is looking after him. BCCI does not want to take any risk on Mayank,” he added.
Former India bowling coach Paras Mambri, who was part of the national team during Rahul Dravid’s tenure, said it was important for Mayank to return to form.
“I don’t agree that you can’t just send him out if he’s not ready. He’s at the age where he should be bowling. A bowler has to bowl. The more he bowls, the more control he has and the more his body knows what it can take. You can’t just wrap him in cotton and say he’s going to get injured,” Mhambrey said.
He encouraged Mayank to play more red-ball cricket, saying it would help him build fitness and confidence.
“When you play a season, you understand bowling. You bowl in different conditions. You are tested physically at different stages of the game. Sometimes you have to be on the ground for six sessions. If you can bowl with the same intensity in the last session, then you will be confident when you play at international level. I strongly believe Mayank needs to come together in the domestic season,” he said.
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