The first call-up to the Indian team last week for the three-match T20I series at home against Bangladesh left Mayank Yadav dazed. Bewildered, he had to check by surfing through the BCCI website to confirm the news.
Team India Call-Up: A Surprise For Mayank Yadav
Mayank Yadav had created waves in IPL 2024 for his consistency in bowling more than 150 km/h while taking wickets, and he will report to Gwalior later this week for the series starting October 6.
Having won two Player of the Match awards from just four games for Lucknow Super Giants and accounting for seven wickets, Mayank first rang his mother, having managed to bring tears of joy with the good 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 Times of India.
“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 suffered an injury mid season and it wiped him out for the rest of the season. But more problems awaited him, as he injured himself again at the BCCI's National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, and he again had to report to the rehabilitation wing.
Mayank Yadav Highlights Gautam Gambhir's Advice
“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 while speaking to National Daily
Also Read: IND VS BAN: Mehidy Hasan Miraz Gets Picked For T20I Series As Bangladesh Announces Full Squad
In conversation with national daily, Mayank spoke about the advice that India head coach Gautam Gambhir gave him during a stint of 2023 when he was made LSG mentor.