India fast bowler Mayank Yadav has stated that the two-year layoff due to injury was the most challenging period in his young career. He added that getting injured at the initial stages of his career tested him in more ways than he could imagine.
Delhi’s paceman got a chance to express his fitness in his team’s first T20I match against Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club on Thursday. He was able to show off his blistering pace right away. Speaking on the topic, the 24-year-old said that the thought of playing for India kept him going during the long recovery process.
‘Playing for India Kept Me Going’: Mayank Yadav
“It was very, very hard. A two-year gap was very, very challenging for me as a human being. I was only 22-23. So that always matters to me that I had to go through so much at such a young age,” Mayank said at a post-match press conference.
“But that said, the other thing is the game for the country is every player’s dream. It was the motivation for me to come back for the country and perform.”
The leg-spinner felt the conditions in Harare were perfect for the fast bowlers as the surface provided help to seamers.
“I have heard that Zimbabwe is a good place for fast bowlers. It’s my first time here in Zimbabwe, and I enjoyed the wicket and got a lot of help from it. I feel this is the reason why I could contribute to the team.”
Mayank was also effusive in praise of the captain Shreyas Iyer as he gave freedom to his bowlers to express their skills and at the same time gave tactical inputs to the bowlers when required.
Also read: 15-Year-Old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Surpasses Sachin Tendulkar and Creates T20I History
“I’m playing under his captaincy for the first time. And I feel during the game, he has given a lot of confidence to the bowlers. Whatever I wanted to bowl, he supported, and whenever he gave advice, I feel really confident following his advice. I felt so free under his captaincy.”
The pacer also spoke about the bonding with the other pace bowlers in the team, Ashok Sharma and Prince Yadav. They share a healthy camaraderie and support each other’s game.
“We don’t talk a lot about the pace, but we have a very good rapport. Whatever help I got in my first over, I shared it with Ashok and Prince. We discussed the options we have and how we can attack. We always have good discussions.”
Special praise was reserved for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who scored a brilliant half-century against Pakistan in the recent encounter. Mayank spoke about the amazing talent of the teenage sensation.
“He is fabulous. He was also brilliant when he faced my bowling in the IPL. When I used to bowl to him, he would give me unbelievable shots which I could not imagine from such a young and inexperienced boy. He always surprises you with his talent and gives you a different kind of experience. So, it’s really good to watch him play.”
Now that he shares the dressing room with Vaibhav, Mayank Yadav feels that Sooryavanshi has the potential to be one of the best if he continues to deliver consistent performances.
“I think he can go that far because the talent he has is fabulous. I never thought that a 15-year-old boy would come and destroy my whole bowling attack. It’s a different feeling to play with him in the same team because he used to beat us in the IPL.”
Mayank also mentioned that Vaibhav’s first fifty for the country would be a significant confidence booster after a relatively poor series.
“I think it will be a special moment for him because he didn’t have a good enough series before where he could show his skills. But he has got his first half-century for the country, and everyone knows it’s a very special feeling for any player, especially for a 15-year-old boy. The way he hit the ball was fabulous.”
Mayank Yadav had faced one of his toughest phases as a player, but his recent outing has been a redemption. Not only did Mayank get his revenge, but he also got to share the happy moment of winning with one of the best young talents, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, in the cricketing world.
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