Maiden over, Morkel and captain Surya: Mayank Yadav reflects on his T20I debut
Fast bowler Mayank Yadav admitted he was a bit nervous before getting to bowl his first over in international cricket and that encouragement from captain Suryakumar Yadav and members of the support staff helped him ease into action. Mayank, 22, debuted for India in a T20I against Bangladsh in Gwalior on Sunday after having been fast-tracked into the senior national team.
Mayank Yadav did not take long to impress as he bowled a maiden in his very first over in international cricket, becoming only the fifth Indian bowler to do so in T20I cricket. Mayank, who bowled thunderbolts above 150 kph in a breakthrough IPL 2024 season, did not push himself as much as he was playing his first competitive match after recovering from a back injury. Yet, Mayank consistently clocked more than 145 kph, troubling the Bangladesh batters at the New Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium.
IND vs BAN, 1st T20I: Highlights | Match Report
Senior Bangladesh batter Mahmadullah was Mayank Yadav’s first victim in international cricket as the young tearaway fast bowler finished with impressive figures of 1 for 21 in four overs.
“It is a great moment because I am coming from an injury. I was a bit nervous, like I was telling myself ‘don’t stress yourself’,” Mayank said during an interaction with BCCI, reflecting on his maiden outing in India blue.
“When I got to know I was going to play my first match, making my debut, a complete flashback of the last four months came in front of my eyes,” he said.
‘SURYAKUMAR GAVE ME FREEDOM’
Mayank credited captain Suryakumar Yadav for making him feel at home. The fast bowler from West Delhi said the Mumbai Indians star gave him freedom and showed a lot of faith in him.
“He (Suryakumar) gives you freedom. When I was taking the run-up, he was telling me ‘do what you feel, what you feel best’. So that’s very important for any fast bowler, especially when you are making your debut,” he said.
India did not put a foot wrong as they hammered Bangladesh by seven wickets, successfully chasing down 128 in just 11.5 overs.
MAYANK ON MENTOR MORKEL
Mayank made his debut on Morne Morkel’s 40th birthday. The former South African pacer, who is now India’s bowling coach, played a key role in Mayank’s progress. Morkel and Mayank worked together at Lucknow Super Giants.
“It felt good. I was not thinking that I was going to bowl a maiden over. I just wanted to live in that moment, enjoy that moment,” Mayank said.
“It’s very comfortable for me, I have been with him (Morkel) for the last three years. I know him, he knows me very well. So, it’s very easy for me to work with him. He knows which things are better for me,” Mayank added.
Mayank said he was particular about focusing on bowling good lines and lengths and not worry too much about the speed gun. Mayank was clicking in excess of 150 kph at will in IPL 2024, but on Sunday, he kept it simple and yet managed to bowl in excess of 145 kph to make life difficult for the Bangladesh batters.
Mayank will be looking forward to the opportunity of playing in front of his home crowd with the second T20I scheduled to be played in Delhi on Wednesday, October 9.
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