India’s young gun, Mayank Yadav, had a Majestic debut against Bangladesh in Gwalior on Sunday, October 6. The pacer from Delhi scaled a wicket and showed promising talent in his first international match for India. In the first T20I against Bangladesh, Mayank impressed with his control and variations, focussing more on accuracy and economical bowling in his maiden match. Team India won the match by 7 wickets.
Mayank admitted to feeling nervous ahead of his debut, as the match marked his return after a long injury layoff. “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,” he shared in a post-match chat with Jio Cinema.
Mayank emphasised that his recovery period had its challenges, but he credited his support team for helping him push through the tough times.
Focus on line and length over speed
In his debut performance, Mayank aimed for accuracy rather than bowling at full pace. “I was determined to hit the proper lengths instead of bowling faster. I didn’t think about my speed, just tried to leak the least runs possible,” Mayank explained.
He also mentioned adjusting his bowling to the conditions in Gwalior, opting for slower deliveries on a pitch that lacked bounce.
Gambhir’s key advice: Stick to basics
Head coach Gautam Gambhir played a crucial role in calming Mayank’s nerves before the match. According to Mayank, Gambhir’s advice was simple yet effective: “Stick to the basics and do what has worked for you in the past. Don’t overthink the fact that it’s an international game.” This focus on sticking to the process helped Mayank stay composed and deliver a solid performance on his debut.
