Mayank Yadav makes a low-key comeback

Regarding Mayank Yadav, who was once heralded as the next major star in Indian cricket, Naman Dhir of the Mumbai Indians was pretty casual. “I’m batting and he’s bowling, so it’s nothing extraordinary. For me, it’s just another bowler. I wouldn’t claim to have prepared anything extra for him. He’s just another bowler, in my opinion, but I have watched his movies to learn what he bowls and what shots I can play.

Naman only scored two runs while facing four deliveries. Considering that, it is debatable if Naman’s contemptuous disregard for Mayank Yadav bowling was warranted. However, the quick bowler’s much awaited return ended up being pretty uneventful. However, his bowling lacked the spark, velocity, whip, zip, nip, fire, and passion that one would have expected from him. Certainly, figures of two for 40 in a high-scoring innings are respectable. In other words, he didn’t appear menacing and there were no thunderbolts.

He deserves praise for getting rid of Hardik Pandya and Rohit Sharma, two important MI batsmen, but he did so more by deceit than by force. Both came off slower ones: the one that got Hardik bowled (through the gate) was delivered at 134.2 kmph, and Rohit guided a delivery of 120 kmph to short third man. His top speed was approximately 142 kmph.

The speed gun was the centre of attention when Mayank Yadav launched the attack for LSG.

When he first appeared on the horizon last season, things were different. Mayank played in four games last season before suffering a back injury that kept him out of action. He routinely scored above 150 runs on the speed gun, with his fastest delivery ever being 156.7 kmph (against RCB), the second-highest by an Indian after Umran Malik (157 kmph). Interestingly, LSG prevailed in each of those four games. In two of the games, he was named player of the match. However, there was no magic touch this time; MI defeated the SuperGiants for the first time in seven league stage encounters as LSG lost by 54 runs.

With seven wickets in 12.1 overs at an average of 12.14 and an economy rate of 6.98, which was the third-best among bowlers who had bowled more than 10 overs, Mayank had an incredible season. He quickly acquired the India cap and a special fast bowler’s contract from the BCCI, proving that all the hoopla surrounding him was warranted. Before being sent to the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru due to a back issue, he played in the three-match Twenty20 series against Bangladesh. LSG is purposefully taking their time with him, as his last game prior to Sunday’s match was on October 12, 2024, more than six months ago.

However, the SuperGiants are excited about Mayank’s return. “He finished the game, bowled four overs and remained on the pitch for twenty overs. The more he plays, the better his execution and speed will get. That he finished the game makes me pleased. My intuition is telling me that. The LSG mentor, Zaheer Khan, is really happy.

“The waiting period was lengthy, and returning to the game after a prolonged absence is always a major obstacle that must be overcome. That’s my perspective on it, then. I am aware that bowling quickly is never simple, particularly in this format when the hitters are hitting you hard. That, then, was the way of thinking.

The team is clearly taking great care of the 22-year-old pacer, covering his delicate body with cotton wool. They kept a close eye on his workload even though he was available a few weeks ago. They have maintained continuous communication with the Centre of Excellence’s Sports Science division. Prior to this, there were even intentions to employ him as an Impact Player in a few games. On Sunday, however, they eventually let him go.

“We were taking our time in order to make him feel comfortable. A strategy has been established regarding his approach and the programs he should adhere to. All we’re doing is setting up the conditions for him to thrive. He has been coming in, bowling, and then experiencing these kinds of setbacks for the past year and a half. One’s mind may toy with it. Therefore, you also need to comfort that aspect of things. And we’ve adopted that strategy with Mayank,” Zaheer clarified.

As they say, bowling in the nets and in a match setting are very different. His rhythmless bowling was a clear sign of his lack of playing time. He couldn’t pound the deck the way he used to, and he seemed more harmless than dangerous. Given his past ailments, it’s also possible that a psychological barrier is preventing him from reaching his full potential. That being said, his return has given him the positive insight that he can only become better from here, which is good news for both LSG and India.