1st T20I: 'Mentally got much better after surgery,' says Mayank after shining on international return
Harare, July 23
India pacer Mayank Yadav has credited mental fortitude and renewed body awareness for his comeback from a gruelling 21-month injury layoff and an impactful spell of 2-18, helping the visitors restrict Zimbabwe to 125/7 in the first T20I at the Harare Sports Club on Thursday.
Mayank, who missed a lot of on-field action due to a stress fracture in the back needing surgery in Christchurch, New Zealand, in July 2025, made an immediate impact by removing Brian Bennett with the very first delivery of the innings and was in absolute control of his lines and lengths to finish with 2-18 in his four overs.
Generating sharp seam movement and raw bounce, Mayank rattled the opposition batters by regularly breaching the 140 kmph mark. "It's always a great feeling when you come back and play for your country and especially bowl like this, this type of spell. It's a fantastic feeling, and I don't think I can describe it well through my words.
"Obviously it was there because I was coming after two years and there is always pressure when you come to play for your country. So, I was a little bit nervous. But my thinking and my plan was very simple to just execute my strength and just keep bowling," said Mayank in a mid-innings chat with the broadcasters.
He also revealed that striking early helped him settle into his rhythm smoothly. "Definitely after the first ball wicket I calmed down a lot. I got confidence. I'm playing after a while, but still I can deliver with the skills I have, that strength I have; it will help me a lot on these types of wickets, especially.
Describing the arduous road back to full fitness, the tearaway quick highlighted the importance of mental strength during rehabilitation. "There are a lot of things: physical training, mentally. When you're injured and, in that phase, mental strength makes a huge difference for any player.
"So, I think more than physically, for me, mentally I got much better, and I knew my body a lot after the surgery and after the rehab. So, it makes a huge difference for me," he concluded.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Honestly, this is what Indian cricket needed—a pacer who can hit 140+ consistently and swing the ball. Mayank's mental maturity is inspiring. I hope the team management manages his workload properly this time, especially with the 2027 World Cup in mind. No more rushed comebacks, please!
Two years out and comes back with a spell like that? Incredible stuff! The way he talks about mental strength and understanding his body better after surgery—that's the kind of mindset every young cricketer needs. Hope he stays fit and bowls many more match-winning spells for India 🇮🇳
Great to see Mayank back and performing! That first-ball wicket was clinical. I wonder if India will give him a longer run in the T20Is or rotate him carefully. His pace and bounce are real weapons on these kinds of pitches. Congrats to him for the strong comeback!
Fantastic comeback! But I hope the BCCI medical team and selectors have a proper plan for him. We've seen too many young fast bowlers break down after injuries. Mayank's mental strength is great, but he needs proper workload management too. Let's not rush him into every series!
This is why I love Indian cricket—youngsters like Mayank who fight back from injuries with such grit! That spell was pure poetry in motion—pace, bounce, movement, and most importantly, control. He looked like he never left the game. So proud of him! 🏏💪
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