'Bowl fast': Mayank Yadav rediscovers his fearsome pace as India look to keep him fit
toi
newspoint|11-10-2026
Indore: Mayank Yadav cranked up some serious pace on Friday night, letting the ball fly and rattling the West Indies top order. No one in India’s think tank will get carried away after just one impressive spell, but there will be quiet satisfaction over what the Delhi pacer produced in Ranchi. His spell of 3/36, with all three wickets coming in the Powerplay, has reinforced India’s belief that in Mayank, they have an express pacer who can make an impact with the new ball and trouble batters in overseas conditions.
The challenge, though, is to keep him match-ready and ensure his body does not break down. It has been a painful journey for Mayank, who first made his mark during the 2024 IPL with Lucknow Super Giants , consistently clocking speeds in excess of 150 kmph. The tearaway speedster played just four matches that season, but it was enough to convince the selectors that he needed to be fast-tracked into international cricket . By October 2024, he had made his India T20I debut against Bangladesh.
What followed was an extended battle with injuries over the next two years, including a lumbar stress fracture, lower-back spasms and a hamstring tear. But the Indian team management knew they had a rare talent who needed careful handling. Under the guidance of VVS Laxman at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, Mayank gradually rebuilt his fitness and bowling workload. He returned during the 2026 IPL but endured a quiet campaign. He made his India comeback during the Zimbabwe series in July this year and marked his return with a Player of the Match performance. What kept the fire burning was his desire to wear the India jersey again.
Skipper Shreyas Iyer handed him the new ball, and Mayank delivered. More importantly, the pace was back.
Coach Gautam Gambhir did not mince his words when asked about Yadav’s performance. His message was simple: “Bowl fast.” With three matches still left in the series, Mayank has an opportunity to prove his durability.
The challenge, though, is to keep him match-ready and ensure his body does not break down. It has been a painful journey for Mayank, who first made his mark during the 2024 IPL with Lucknow Super Giants , consistently clocking speeds in excess of 150 kmph. The tearaway speedster played just four matches that season, but it was enough to convince the selectors that he needed to be fast-tracked into international cricket . By October 2024, he had made his India T20I debut against Bangladesh.
What followed was an extended battle with injuries over the next two years, including a lumbar stress fracture, lower-back spasms and a hamstring tear. But the Indian team management knew they had a rare talent who needed careful handling. Under the guidance of VVS Laxman at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, Mayank gradually rebuilt his fitness and bowling workload. He returned during the 2026 IPL but endured a quiet campaign. He made his India comeback during the Zimbabwe series in July this year and marked his return with a Player of the Match performance. What kept the fire burning was his desire to wear the India jersey again.
Skipper Shreyas Iyer handed him the new ball, and Mayank delivered. More importantly, the pace was back.
Coach Gautam Gambhir did not mince his words when asked about Yadav’s performance. His message was simple: “Bowl fast.” With three matches still left in the series, Mayank has an opportunity to prove his durability.
Related News
Latest Newsmore
Kevin Pietersen makes bold statement about Shai Hope’s chances of being picked in IPL 2027 auction
10-Oct-2026 • Samira Vishwas
'Focus on your batting': Wasim Jaffer questions Yashasvi Jaiswal's wicketkeeping move
10-Oct-2026 • toi
'Just install a bowling machine': Yuzvendra Chahal's blunt take on batter-friendly pitches after West Indies chase down 250
10-Oct-2026 • toi
'Bowl fast': Gautam Gambhir's blunt message as Mayank Yadav rediscovers his fearsome pace
10-Oct-2026 • toi
Youngest T20I Centurion: Can Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Break The Record?
10-Oct-2026 • Suyash Sahay