Back to full fitness, Mayank savours the start of a new journey

Pace is Mayank Yadav’s foremost ally. That was established in the blink of an eye in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL), where he went on to clock a top speed of 156.7 kmph for Lucknow Super Giants. With such a gift in his locker, he was predictably fast-tracked into the T20I set-up for a three-match series against Bangladesh in October that year.

While he equipped himself well to the challenge by picking four wickets at an economy rate of 6.91, a spate of injuries cast a shadow over the next 18 months. Most worryingly, a stress fracture in the back — a chink in the armour for most young speedsters — forced Mayank to undergo surgery and miss vast chunks of the cricketing calendar.

The upside is that the 24-year-old is now back to full fitness. On his comeback for India in a T20I series against Zimbabwe last month, he picked a wicket off his very first ball. He finished with five scalps in the series as the Men in Blue completed a clean sweep.

“To take a wicket off my first ball (against Zimbabwe) was a special feeling since I was returning after (almost) two years,” Mayank told the media on Friday. “It feels like my run of injuries is over. This is like the start of a new journey.”

In the ongoing Delhi Premier League, Mayank has built on his workload by featuring in six of East Delhi Riders’ eight games. He has claimed seven wickets at an average of 21.57.

“I’m feeling 100% fit. I came to play in the DPL after the Zimbabwe tour because I wanted a lot of game-time,” Mayank said.

During his time on the sidelines, the desire to wear the India jersey again helped the fast bowler retain a positive outlook.

“I played a lot of games on PlayStation when I was in rehab. It was a good pastime,” he revealed. “Mentally, to be in a good space, I was working towards the aim of representing the country again.”