NEW DELHI: Mayank Yadav, the promising 22-year-old fast bowler for Lucknow Super Giants, emerged as one of the standout players in IPL 2024, impressing with his sheer pace and taking seven wickets in just four games. However, his season was abruptly halted due to injury, leading to uncertainty about his return to competitive cricket.
BCCI secretary Jay Shah expressed doubts about Yadav's availability for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Test series scheduled for December. While recovering at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), former India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey insists on easing Yadav back into action, particularly focusing on first-class cricket.
Yadav's blistering speed captured attention early in the IPL 2024 season, consistently bowling at speeds exceeding 150 kmph, and delivering the fourth fastest ball in IPL history at 156.7 kmph. Unfortunately, an injury curtailed his participation after just four games where he secured seven wickets.
"I cannot give you any answer on Mayank Yadav as there is no guarantee whether he will be in the team or not. But he is potentially a good fast bowler, and we are looking after him. He is currently at the NCA," Shah told The Times of India last week.
The concerns around Yadav's injury have sparked discussions about his immediate future and the appropriate path for his recovery. Former India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey advocates for a gradual reintroduction to competitive cricket, particularly in the longer format. Mhambrey argues that keeping Yadav sidelined out of caution may not be the best approach for the young pacer.
"I don't agree that if he is not ready, just don't play him. This is the age where he has to bowl. A bowler should bowl. The more you bowl, the more you will have control, you will know your threshold as to how much your body can take. You can't wrap him up in cotton wool saying he will get injured," Mhambrey told The Indian Express in an interview.
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2/7:Sachin Tendulkar
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3/7:Angelo Mathews
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4/7:Kane Williamson
<p><br /><br />New Zealand's Kane Williamson, who recently turned 34, has accumulated 8,743 runs in Test cricket.<br /><br /><br /></p>Agencies
5/7:Virat Kohli
<p>Virat Kohli, the sole Indian player on this list, has scored 8,848 runs in Test matches. At 35 years of age, Kohli is expected to play for another two to four years at most.<br /><br /><br /></p>Agencies
6/7:Steve Smith
<p>Australia's Steve Smith, currently 35 years old, has 9,685 runs to his credit. Among the active players in this list, he has the highest average in Test cricket.<br /><br /><br /></p>Agencies
7/7:Joe Root
<p><br /><br />England's Joe Root stands out as the only active player in the 10,000-run club, having amassed 12,027 runs at the age of 33. With 3,895 runs separating him from world record, Root has a realistic chance of surpassing the world record.<br /><br /><br /></p>AgenciesMhambrey believes that Yadav's development and injury management would benefit from playing red-ball cricket. He emphasized that first-class cricket is crucial for gaining the necessary experience and for understanding individual physical limits.
"We can't overbowl and burn him out, but we have to be smart about how much he should bowl. As a fast bowler, he needs to play first-class cricket," Mhambrey said.
He stressed the importance of studying Yadav's background and training regimen to better manage his fitness and workload.
"You have to check his background. How much cricket has he played? How much has he bowled? Everything adds up. We need to go in depth about him, what have been his training methods? How many overs he used to bowl, his history of injuries," Mhambrey noted.
Mhambrey also highlighted the significance of understanding that Yadav is still in the developmental phase of his career, and proactive management of his workload and fitness is crucial.
"He's only 22. His body is still developing. He is in that injury-prone age group. His body has not completely developed yet. His injuries can be controlled if we understand his background well."
As the BCCI deliberates on the best course of action for Yadav, the young pacer's return to full fitness remains eagerly anticipated by fans and selectors alike. His impressive performances in the IPL have shown glimpses of his potential, and managing his recovery effectively could be key to his future success in Indian cricket.
