Cricket

Mayank Yadav Reflects on Nervous International Debut

Mayank Yadav expressed excitement and nerves before returning to international cricket after recovering from injury. “I was excited but also a bit nervous as this series marked my comeback after being sidelined. I hadn’t played any competitive matches, so making my debut directly was a bit overwhelming,” he said.

Reflecting on his recovery journey, Mayank added, “The recovery period was challenging, with plenty of ups and downs over the last four months. However, it was tougher for those who helped me throughout the process.”

During the match, Mayank focused more on precision than speed, prioritizing accurate lengths over pure pace. “My goal today was to focus on my body and hit the right lengths instead of just bowling faster. I wasn’t concerned about my speed; I aimed to concede fewer runs by maintaining the right line and length.”

He also noted adjustments in his bowling strategy due to the conditions. “I used slower deliveries during the IPL, but my captain advised me to rely more on my stock ball. The Gwalior pitch didn’t bounce much, so I adjusted my pace accordingly.”

Mayank revealed an essential message from head coach Gautam Gambhir before his debut. “Coach Gambhir told me not to overthink my first international game. He emphasized sticking to the basics and focusing on what has worked for me in the past. He reminded me not to worry about trying different things but to trust the process.”

Siddharth Dahiya