Dad’s ‘Govardhan Parikrama’ in Mathura pays off as Mayank Yadav makes a comeback | Cricket News

It has been a tough couple of years for Mayank Yadav. After impressing everyone with his brilliant run during IPL 2024, he was sidelined for over a year due to a stress fracture. But the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) never lost confidence in the youngster. For the past two years, BCCI’s Center of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru has become his second home.“It wasn’t easy for the boy. The constant injuries took a toll on him physically and mentally,” shared Devender Sharma, who coached the speedster in his formative years.“He was upset. But he worked hard. Every day, he gave his best. After any injury, rehabilitation becomes very important, and he diligently completed it. That helped him get back to where he belongs,” said Sharma.

Mayank Yadav (Pic credit: BCCI)

Devender recalls how shocked Mayank was when he congratulated him over the phone after he was picked for the three-match series against Zimbabwe.“‘Kyu mazak kar rahe ho sir?’ (Are you kidding me, sir?) These were his words when I told him about his choice. He was not expecting the call,” shared Devender.Mayank’s much-anticipated IPL comeback didn’t go to plan this year; he failed to take a single wicket in the four matches he played for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), conceding 182 runs at an economy rate of 11.37.However, he is always in the scheme of things. He was named in the India A squad for the warm-up matches against the USA and Namibia ahead of the T20 World Cup. After that, he was one of the seven net bowlers called by Team India to New Chandigarh ahead of the one-off Test against Afghanistan. Throughout the three sessions in the nets, Mayank bowled at a fast pace with the red ball and was closely monitored by bowling coach Morne Morkel.

“Look, he is a special talent, and that’s why you see BCCI backing him. They never failed. They showed faith in him,” Sharma said.Devender also shared what the youngster has been up to in the past year.“In the CoE, last year he bowled around 15 overs a day. The goal is to bowl 20 overs a day. They want him to be ready for Test cricket from the next World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. He is well managed by all stakeholders, and I hope he stays healthy and repays the faith shown in him by the board,” said Sharma.

Mayank Yadav celebrates a wicket

Mayank’s mentor and former Delhi U-19 coach Narender Negi echoed Devender’s sentiments and shared details about the bowler’s injury struggles.“It’s not easy to clock 145 kph consistently. He’s also unlucky with injuries. First he had a stress fracture in the back, then an ankle injury, followed by calf and knee injuries. It’s not easy to deal with so many setbacks,” said Negi.“People wrote him off and I think today he proved everyone wrong. Yes, it was just one game, but he is back for sure,” added Negi.On Thursday, Mayank was consistently moving in the mid to high 140s. He troubled the Zimbabwean batters with sharp seam movement, steep bounce and relentless pace. During the innings break, he admitted that he was nervous before bowling his first ball.

First it was a stress fracture in the back, then an ankle injury, followed by calf and knee injuries. It is not easy to cope with so many failures

Narinder Negi | Mayank Yadav’s teacher

“It’s always a great feeling when you come back and play for your country, especially when you play a spell like this. It’s a great feeling and I don’t think I can describe it well in words. Obviously there are some nerves. To come back after two years, there’s always pressure. There was some nervousness in the middle,” he told broadcasters.“After picking a wicket in the very first ball, I calmed down a lot. I got the confidence that I can deliver even though I have come back after two years,” he added.

Mullanpur: India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel, right, interacts with Mayank Yadav during a practice session ahead of a Test cricket match against Afghanistan, in Mullanpur. (PTI Photo/Atul Yadav) (PTI06_05_2026_000020B)

It has been a turbulent couple of years for the Delhi pacer. As his father said, he is hardly home anymore, while his mother hopes that her son will finally be able to spend time with the family after this series.“Ab shayad kuch din ghar rahe (I hope he stays home for a few days now),” said Mamta Yadav, Mayank’s mother.For Mayank, wickets in Harare are more than numbers on the scorecard, they are the speedgun he enjoys. It marks the end of a long, painful road full of injuries, rehabilitation and uncertainty. Without compromising on pace, the Delhi quick has finally given himself the perfect platform to chase the promise that first made him one of India’s most exciting fast-bowling prospects.