Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin showered praise on speedster Mayank Yadav after the first T20I of the three-match series against Zimbabwe. Ashwin stated that it is a physical and mental challenge to recover from stress fractures for the fast bowler at a young age.
Mayank returned to international cricket in the first T20I against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club on Thursday, July 23. After missing nearly two years with a lumbar stress fracture, side strains, and hamstring injuries, the pacer made his comeback with a Player of the Match performance.
Speaking on his podcast 'Ash ki Baat', Ravichandran Ashwin opened up on Mayank Yadav missing matches. He stated the physical and mental toll that young athletes endure during rehabilitation, urging fans to understand the difficulties of overcoming severe stress fractures.
"It is not easy to go through a stress fracture at a young age. We often see and think, why is he always retained? He is always injured. We easily tell this. No player plays to get injured. Injury can be very painful," Ashwin said.
"It is not just physical but also a mental barrier, especially if you are injured twice. It is not easy on the body. If it resurfaces, it plays on your mind. Mayank Yadav has a lot of time and is exceptionally talented. I want him to play more."
Mayank Yadav suffered multiple physical setbacks before this series, including a lumbar stress fracture, lower back spasms, side strains, and a hamstring tear. Lucknow Super Giants backed the 24-year-old pacer by retaining him across the last two seasons.
Mayank Yadav Shines on International Comeback
Mayank Yadav made a dream return in the series opener against Zimbabwe in Harare. Playing his first international match since October 2024, the fast bowler struck with the very first ball of the game to put the hosts under early pressure.
He dismissed Brian Bennett for a duck with a delivery that took the outside edge. Mayank maintained his pace and accuracy throughout the powerplay before removing Dion Myers to finish with impressive figures of 2/18 from four overs.
His match-winning spell strengthened India's pace attack in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. Mayank's return also helped India end its recent losing streak. He will be in the team's plans for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Ravichandran Ashwin Reacts as Shreyas Iyer Registers First Win as India Captain
Ravichandran Ashwin congratulated Shreyas Iyer on registering his first win as India's T20I captain. The victory came at an important time after India lost consecutive T20I series to Ireland and England earlier this summer.
"Congratulations to Shreyas for the first win. He would have been searching for it. There is not a lot to see when you restrict Zimbabwe to 120-odd. Mayank, Prince, and Ashok all got an opportunity."
After impressive spells from Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav, India restricted Zimbabwe to 125. The visitors then chased down the target in just 13.2 overs. 15-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi smashed 50 off 19 balls while Ishan Kishan scored an unbeaten 35.
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