“Gautam asked me not to…:” Mayank Yadav Reveals Coach’s Pep Talk Before His Debut

Mayank Yadav made an impressive international debut during the opening T20I of the 3-match series between India and Bangladesh, showcasing his exceptional pace and skills as India triumphed by 7 wickets. Mayank, already recognized for his express pace, caught the attention of fans and analysts alike with his variations and tactical approach to bowling.

A rising star

Before making his international debut, Mayank Yadav was already regarded as one of the most exciting fast-bowling talents in India. His blistering speed, which regularly clocks above 145 km/h, and his ability to swing the ball have made him a name to watch. Coming up through the ranks of domestic cricket and the IPL, Yadav built a reputation as an “express pacer,” a title not easily earned in a country where spin has traditionally dominated.

Reflecting on his debut, Mayank shared that while he was excited about his first international match, nerves were inevitable. The debut marked his comeback after an injury layoff, adding to the pressure. However, he remained focused on performing for his team, prioritizing accuracy and discipline over raw speed.

“I was indeed excited but was a bit more nervous. This series marked my comeback after the injury. I didn’t play competitive cricket and then directly made my debut. That’s why I was a little more nervous,” Yadav told in a chat with Jio Cinema after the match.

Comeback from injury

The fast bowler had recently recovered from a four-month injury layoff, which made his debut even more special. The recovery process was mentally and physically demanding, but Yadav credited the support of his team and coaching staff for helping him get back to peak condition.

“The recovery period was tough for more. Quite a lot of ups and downs were there in the last 4 months. But more than me, it was tougher for the people who worked with me,” he added.

In his post-match interview, Yadav revealed that he was more concerned with hitting the right line and length rather than pushing for extreme speeds. His objective was to be as economical as possible, ensuring he didn’t leak runs while keeping pressure on the batters.

“Today I focused more on my body. Also, I was determined to hit the proper lengths instead of bowling faster. I didn’t think about my speed. I just tried leaking the least runs possible and bowling at a proper line and length.

He mentioned that while he had used these variations during the IPL, he relied more on his stock deliveries during the match. The Gwalior pitch offered little bounce, requiring Yadav to adjust his pace and adapt to the conditions on the fly.

“I did bowl the slower ones in the IPL as well but not much. I had a word with my captain and he asked me to rely on my stalk ball more than trying out variations. But coming to Gwalior, the wicket didn’t have much bounce so I changed my pace accordingly,” he explained.

Guidance from Coach Gautam Gambhir

One of the key figures behind Yadav’s successful debut was none other than his coach, Gautam Gambhir. Yadav revealed that Gambhir’s advice before the match was simple yet profound: stick to the basics. Rather than overthinking his debut or attempting anything fancy, Gambhir encouraged Mayank to follow the same processes that had brought him success in the past.

“Nothing extra, he asked me to stick to the basics and do the things that have yielded positive results for me in the past. He asked me not to think much about trying different things or even think that it was an international game. Following the process was the key,” Yadav concluded.

With a strong debut under his belt, Mayank Yadav looks set for a bright future in Indian cricket. His pace, accuracy, and ability to adapt to different conditions make him a valuable asset to the team. Fans and analysts are eagerly waiting to see how Yadav continues to develop and contribute to the Indian cricket team in the coming years.

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