‘I Checked The BCCI Website And Got To Know My Name Was There’ – Mayank Yadav On Maiden Call-Up

Imagine waking up to the news that you’ve been selected for the Indian cricket team. For Mayank Yadav, this wasn’t a dream, but a stunning reality that hit him last week. The fast bowler, who made waves in IPL 2024, was left in disbelief when he discovered his name on the BCCI website for India’s T20I squad against Bangladesh.

The emotional moment

Mayank’s call-up to the Indian T20I squad took him by surprise. “I wasn’t aware of the selection,” he told the Times of India. When he saw his teammates getting congratulatory calls, he quickly checked the BCCI website. His name was there! The emotions flooded in. Mayank immediately called his mother, who burst into tears upon hearing the news.

“I wasn’t aware of the selection. But I saw my mates here receiving congratulatory calls. I just checked the BCCI website and got to know my name was there,” he told the Times of India.

This was the moment Mayank had dreamed of, but it felt surreal. The hard work, the sacrifices, the pain of injuries all of it had finally paid off.

“Once I put down the phone, I had flashbacks in front of my eyes from the day I first went to Sonnet Club to the four anxious months spent at the NCA to recover from frequent niggles,” he added.

Mayank’s breakthrough in IPL 2024

The turning point in Mayank Yadav’s career came during IPL 2024, when he was picked by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). From the very first ball, Mayank showed why he was destined for the big stage. He consistently bowled over 150 km/h, rattling batters with his sheer pace. In just four matches, he picked up seven wickets, earning two Player of the Match awards.

For Mayank Yadav, earning a place in the Indian squad wasn’t just about personal glory. It was a validation of all the effort and belief he had put into his game. More than that, it symbolized hope for young cricketers across India who face similar challenges. If Mayank could make it, so could they.

The Role of Gautam Gambhir

One of the key figures in Mayank’s rise has been Gautam Gambhir, former India opener and current LSG mentor. Mayank credits Gambhir with giving him career-changing advice. Gambhir’s words stayed with Mayank, pushing him to perform whenever he got the chance. The support from Gambhir, along with coach Vijay Dahiya, helped Mayank stay focused even when things looked uncertain.

Mayank credits much of his success to the support he received from his coaches and teammates. While Gambhir provided career-defining advice, former South African pacer Morne Morkel, who was part of LSG’s coaching setup, played a key role in fine-tuning his bowling.

“Gautam bhaiya had once told me that there will be players who get multiple chances to prove themselves and there will be some who will get just one opportunity. I was struggling to even find a sponsor for my shoe despite being in an IPL team and having played for Delhi. Gautam bhaiya’s words stayed with me. He and Vijay Dahiya (former coach at LSG) had clearly told me that I would get my first game after one or two years. When the opportunity came this year, I had to make it count. The day after my IPL debut, I got offers for my bowling shoes. As far as Morne is concerned, he doesn’t speak much. If he observes anything then he will come and point it out. He will mostly talk about strategies,” he added.

With his maiden India call-up, the road ahead for Mayank looks promising. He is set to report to Gwalior for the T20I series against Bangladesh, where he hopes to carry his IPL form into the international arena. The excitement is palpable, but so is his determination to make a lasting impact.