India fast bowler Mayank Yadav said mental improvements and a better understanding of his body during his recovery period helped him make a successful comeback after a 21-month layoff due to injury.Mayank returned to the Indian team after nearly two years and returned with figures of 2/18 in four overs as India restricted Zimbabwe to 125/7 in the first T20I of the three-match series at Harare Sports Club on Thursday.The pacer, who underwent back stress fracture surgery in Christchurch, New Zealand, in July 2025, made an immediate impact by removing Brian Bennett on the first ball of the first innings. His bowling speed was consistently above 140km/h and throughout his season he used seam movement and bounce to trouble Zimbabwe’s batsmen.“When you come back and play for your country, especially a bowl like this, a spell like this, it’s always a great feeling. It’s an amazing feeling and I don’t think I can describe it well in my words.“Obviously it’s there because I’m coming after two years and there’s always pressure when you come and play for your country. So, I was a little bit nervous. But my idea and plan was simple, just to play to my strengths and keep bowling,” Mayank said in a mid-innings interview with the broadcaster.He added that the early wickets helped him settle in quickly.“Definitely, after the first ball wicket, I calmed down a lot. I gained confidence. It took me a while but I could still deliver with the skill and power that I have; that helps me a lot especially on these types of wickets.”Looking back on his recovery, Mayank said the biggest change was mental, not physical.“There are a lot of things: physical training, mental training. When you get injured, at that stage, mental strength has a huge impact on any player.“So, I think for me, not just physically, but mentally I’m a lot better, I’ve learned a lot about my body after the surgery and rehab. So, it’s been a big difference for me,” he concluded.India cruised to victory in seven games, thanks in no small part to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s explosive half-century. The teenager scored his 50 in just 18 balls, his first innings in international cricket, and scored 50 runs in 19 deliveries, including four fours and four sixes.After Mayank and the bowlers restricted Zimbabwe to 125/7, India chased down the target in 13.2 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
