In his return to competitive cricket after six months sidelined, fast bowler Mayank Yadav showcased a strategic approach against the Mumbai Indians, relying more on his variations than sheer pace. During the match, held at Wankhede Stadium, Mayank played his second T20 match ever as the opening bowler and took his first-ever T20 wicket with a slower delivery—an unusual approach for the paceman known for his speed.
Once celebrated for his capability to bowl at up to 156.7kph, which drew the attention of selectors and earned him a special fast bowler’s contract, Mayank’s aggressive speed frequently led to injuries, limiting his appearances to shorter formats. Out of 36 official matches, 18 were T20s, with just one first-class match.
The latest setback was a back injury that kept him out for the entire 2024-25 domestic season. Adding to his woes, a toe injury and subsequent infection delayed his cricket return by a couple of weeks, according to Lucknow Super Giants’ head coach, Justin Langer.
The match against Mumbai Indians on Sunday saw Mayank’s fastest delivery clock in at 142.7kph—a considerable drop from his previous speeds. Acknowledging his altered pace, he focused on tactical play. An over after being dispatched for two sixes by Mumbai’s Rohit Sharma, Mayank’s slower, wide delivery succeeded in dismissing the star batsman.
Despite conceding 28 runs in his second and third overs, Mayank made a significant comeback. In the 16th over, he bowled Hardik Pandya out with a leg stump-reversing delivery before restricting Suryakumar Yadav and Naman Dhir with his slower balls. His final over did not concede any boundaries, highlighting his evolving technique.
Reflecting on his performance, Anil Kumble commented, “It’s going to take a while, but very impressed. For a first game after a long time, especially against a really good batting line-up, Mumbai Indians, a good surface, Wankhede… coming back from injury, he was very impressive.”
Kumble lauded Mayank for dismissing key players Sharma and Pandya, noting his effective use of varying lengths and deliveries. Moving forward, Mayank must cultivate a sustainable bowling action and either strengthen his current delivery speeds or develop more precision and movement to compensate for reduced pace. Whether Mayank can adapt effectively at the top level remains to be seen, but his new approach suggests a promising path to sustained success.
