New Delhi: Prabhu Yadav was performing the ‘Govardhan Parikrama’ in Mathura when his son, Mayank Yadav, over 7,000 kms away at the Harare Sports Club, was bowling thunderbolts. The 24-year-old pacer, making a comeback after two years, returned with a sensational spell of 2 for 18. It included a 149 kph first-ball wicket in the first T20I against Zimbabwe, dismissing Brian Bennett, who had given India a scare with a stunning 97 during the T20 World Cup earlier this year.“Kaise daala? Maine toh match dekha tak nahi. Mai toh bas kal raat hi Mathura aa gaya tha, bas abhi Govardhan Bhagwaan ki parikrama kar ke waapis nikal raha hun (How did he bowl? I didn’t even watch the match. I only came to Mathura last night. I’ve just finished the Govardhan Bhagwan Parikrama and am now heading back),” he tells TimesofIndia.com from Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, after completing the sacred 21 km circumambulation around Govardhan Hill.“Bas fit rahe, yahi maanga hai. Pichle do saal kaafi mushkil gaye hai bachhe ke (I have prayed for his fitness and success. The last two years have been really tough on the boy),” says Yadav Sr., gasping for breath after the long walk.While Prabhu Yadav, who works at a factory in Okhla manufacturing sirens for ambulances and police vehicles, struggled for breath after a tiring seven-hour walk, Yadav Jr. made Zimbabwe batters dance to his tunes during a hostile spell.
Kyu mazak kar rahe ho sir?’ (Are you kidding me, sir?) Those were his words when I told him about his selection. He was not expecting a call
Devender Sharma, coach of Mayank Yadav
It has been a tough couple of years for Mayank Yadav. After impressing everyone with his express pace during IPL 2024, he was sidelined for over a year due to a stress fracture. But the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) never lost faith in the youngster. For the past two years, the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru became his second home.“It was not easy for the boy. The frequent injuries took a toll on him physically and mentally,” shares Devender Sharma, who coached the speedster during his formative years.“He was upset. But he worked hard. Every single day, he gave his best. After any injury, rehabilitation becomes very important, and he completed it diligently. That has helped him get back where he belongs,” says Sharma.
Mayank Yadav (Pic credit: BCCI)
Devender recalls how Mayank was in shock when he congratulated him over the phone after he was picked for the three-match series against Zimbabwe.“‘Kyu mazak kar rahe ho sir?’ (Are you kidding me, sir?) Those were his words when I told him about his selection. He was not expecting a call,” shares Devender.Mayank’s much-anticipated IPL return did not go according to plan this year; he failed to take a single wicket in the four games he played for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), conceding 182 runs at an economy rate of 11.37.However, he was always in the scheme of things. He was named in the India A squad for the warm-up matches against the USA and Namibia before the T20 World Cup. Thereafter, he was among the seven net bowlers summoned by Team India to New Chandigarh ahead of the one-off Test against Afghanistan. Throughout the three net sessions, Mayank bowled at rapid pace with the red ball and was closely watched by bowling coach Morne Morkel.
At the CoE, for the past year he has been bowling close to 15 overs every day. The aim is to bowl 20 overs a day. They want him to be ready for Test cricket from the next World Test Championship (WTC) cycle
Devender Sharma | Mayank Yadav’s coach
“Look, he is a special talent, and that’s why you see the BCCI backed him. They never got frustrated. They showed faith in him,” says Sharma.Devender also shared what the youngster has been doing over the past year.“At the CoE, for the past year he has been bowling close to 15 overs every day. The aim is to bowl 20 overs a day. They want him to be ready for Test cricket from the next World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. He has been managed very carefully by all the stakeholders, and I hope he stays fit and repays the faith that the board has shown in him,” says Sharma.
Mayank Yadav celebrates a wicket
Mayank’s mentor and former Delhi U-19 coach Narender Negi echoes Devender’s sentiments and shares details about the bowler’s injury struggles.“It is not easy to clock 145 kph consistently. He got unlucky with injuries as well. First it was a stress fracture in the back, then an ankle injury, followed by calf and knee injuries. It is not easy to cope with so many setbacks,” says Negi.“People wrote him off and I think today he proved everyone wrong. Yes, it is just one match, but he is back for sure,” adds Negi.On Thursday, Mayank consistently operated in the mid-to-high 140s. He troubled Zimbabwe’s batters with sharp seam movement, steep bounce and relentless pace. During the innings break, he admitted he was nervous before bowling his first ball.
First it was a stress fracture in the back, then an ankle injury, followed by calf and knee injuries. It is not easy to cope with so many setbacks
Narinder Negi | Mayank Yadav’s mentor
“It’s always a great feeling when you come back and play for your country, especially when you bowl a spell like this. It’s a fantastic feeling and I don’t think I can describe it well in words. Obviously there were some nerves. To make a comeback after two years, there is always going to be pressure. There was some nervousness in the middle,” he told the broadcasters.“After picking up a wicket on the very first ball, I calmed down a lot. I got the confidence that I can deliver even after making a comeback after two years,” he added.
Mullanpur: India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel, right, interacts with Mayank Yadav during a practice session ahead of a Test cricket match against Afghanistan, in Mullanpur. (PTI Photo/Atul Yadav) (PTI06_05_2026_000020B)
It has been a tumultuous couple of years for the Delhi pacer. As his father says, he has hardly been home, while his mother hopes her son will finally spend some time with the family after this series.“Ab shayad kuch din ghar rahe (Hopefully, he will stay at home for a few days now),” says Mamta Yadav, Mayank’s mother.For Mayank, the wickets in Harare were more than just numbers on a scorecard, it was the speedgun which he must have enjoyed. It marked the end of a long, painful road filled with injuries, rehabilitation and uncertainty. With no compromise on pace, the Delhi quick has finally given himself the perfect platform to chase the promise that first made him one of India’s most exciting fast-bowling prospects.
