NEW DELHI: After setting speed guns on fire in 2024 edition of the IPL, Mayank Yadav made his India debut in the recent T20Is vs Bangladesh and looked sharp after undergoing a long rehab at the National Cricket Academy.
In his maiden T20I series, which India won 3-0, Mayank took 4 wickets in 3 matches. His standout moment came in the third T20I in Hyderabad where he became the fourth bowler in T20I history to claim a wicket with the first ball of an innings. He joined an elite group of Indian bowlers including Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
The three outings were enough for selectors to now test the youngster in red-ball cricket and he was named as a traveling reserve for India’s upcoming three-match home Test series against New Zealand. Alongside him, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Prasidh Krishna were also included as traveling reserves.
The Test series against New Zealand begins on November 16 in Bengaluru, with the second Test in Pune starting on October 24, and the third game in Mumbai from November 1.
While some former cricketers suggest that Mayank’s should be handled cautiously, former India cricketer and ex-selector Jatin Paranjape disagrees.
"We should take it step by step with Mayank Yadav. The talk about wrapping him in cotton wool is exaggerated," said Paranjape.
"Bowlers need to bowl to improve, they don’t get better by just working out in the gym. The focus should be on making him stronger physiologically. The BCCI is already working on his strength and conditioning, which will make him a better prospect for India," he added.
Mayank has only played one First Class fixture for Delhi as an injury ruled him out for the entire 2023-24 season and he played four games in this year's IPL for Lucknow Supergiants before getting ruled out due to an injury. The upcoming Tests vs New Zealand will allow him an opportunity to test his body for the longer grind.
