New Delhi: While Prabhu Yadav was performing ‘Govardhan Parikrama’ in Mathura, his son Mayank Yadav was bowling at Harare Sports Club, over 7,000 kilometers away. The 24-year-old Pacer returned after two years and returned with a wonderful performance of 2-for-18 shooting. This included a 149 kmph one-wicket haul in the first T20I against Zimbabwe, dismissal Brian BennettIn the T20 World Cup earlier this year, he stunned India with a stunning 97 runs.“Kesdara? Maine toh contest dekha tak nahi. Mai toh bas kal raat hi Mathura aa gaya tha, bas abhi Govardhan Bhagwan ki parikrama kar ke waapis nikal raha hun (How did he play? I didn’t even watch the match. I came to Mathura just last night. I had just completed the Govardhan Bhagwan Parikrama and am returning now),” he told TimesofIndia.com after completing the 21-km sacred circumambulation around the Govardhan hill in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh.“Bas fit rahe, yahi maanga hai. Pichle do saal kaafi mushkil gaye hai bachhe ke (I pray for his health and success. The last two years have been really tough for the boy),” Yadav Sr. said breathlessly after the long walk.Prabhu Yadav, who works at a factory in Okhla that makes ambulances and police sirens, was breathless after a grueling seven-hour walk, while Yadav Jr. made the Zimbabwe batsmen dance to his tunes during a hostile period.
Kyu mazak kar rahe ho sir? (Are you kidding me, sir?) These were his words when I told him his choice. He didn’t expect to receive the call
Devender Sharma, Coach Mayank Yadav
It has been a tough few years for Mayank Yadav. He impressed everyone with his blistering pace in IPL 2024, after which he suffered a stress fracture that sidelined him for over a year. But the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) never lost faith in the youngster. For the past two years, BCCI’s Center of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru has become his second home.“It was not easy for the boy. Frequent injuries took a toll on him both physically and mentally,” shared Dender Sharma, who coached the speedster during his formative years.“He was frustrated. But he worked hard. Every day, he gave it his all. After any injury, rehab becomes very important and he worked through it. It helped him get back to where he belongs,” Sharma said.
Mayank Yadav (Image: BCCI)
Devender recalled being shocked when Mayank congratulated him over the phone after being selected for the three-match series against Zimbabwe.“‘Mr.Qui Mazak Karl Lah Ho? (Are you kidding me, sir?) These were his words when I told him his choice. He didn’t expect to get the call,” Devender shared.Mayank’s much-anticipated IPL return this year did not go as planned; in four games for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), he took no wickets, conceding 182 runs and an economy rate of 11.37.However, he was always on top of the plan. He was named in the India A team for the warm-up matches against the United States and Namibia before the T20 World Cup. Thereafter, he became one of the seven net bowlers called up by India ahead of the one-off Test against Afghanistan. Throughout the three overs, Mayank bowled the red ball at a fast pace and came under the watchful eye of bowling coach Moeen Morkel.
At CoE, he bowled close to 15 overs every day for the past one year. The goal is to bowl 20 overs a day. They hope he will be ready for Test cricket in the next cycle of the World Test Championship (WTC)
Devinder Sharma | Mayank Yadav’s coach
“Look, he is a special talent and that’s why you see the BCCI supporting him. They have never been frustrated. They have shown faith in him,” Sharma said.Devender also shared what the youngster has been up to over the past year.“At CoE, he has been bowling close to 15 overs a day for the past one year. Our target is to bowl 20 overs a day. They want him to be ready for Test cricket in the next World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. He is being managed very carefully by all stakeholders and I hope he stays fit and repays the faith the board has reposed in him,” Sharma said.
Mayank Yadav celebrates wicket
Mayank’s mentor and former Delhi U-19 coach Narender Negi agreed with Devender’s sentiments and shared details of the bowler’s battle with injuries.“It’s not easy to sustain 145 km/h. He was also unfortunate enough to get injured. First a stress fracture in his back, then an ankle injury, then a calf and knee injury. It’s not easy to deal with so many setbacks,” Nagy said.“People write off him and I think today he proved everyone wrong. Yes, it’s just one game, but he’s definitely coming back,” Nagy added.Mayank shares have been trading in the mid-to-high $140s on Thursday. He troubled Zimbabwe’s batsmen with his sharp seam action, steep bounce and ruthless pace. During the break between innings, he admitted he was nervous before throwing out the first pitch.
First it was a stress fracture in the back, then an ankle injury, then calf and knee injuries. It’s not easy to deal 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 hit a spell like this. It’s an amazing feeling and I don’t think I can describe it well in words. There’s obviously some nerves. Coming back after two years, there’s always pressure. There was some tension in the middle,” he told the broadcaster.“I calmed down a lot after picking up a wicket off the first ball. I am confident that I can deliver even after making a comeback after two years,” he added.
Mullanpur: India bowling coach Moeen Morkhar (right) interacts with Mayank Yadav during a practice ahead of the cricket Test match against Afghanistan in Mullanpur. (PTI Photo/Atul Yadav) (PTI06_05_2026_000020B)
It’s been a tumultuous few years for Delhi Pacers. As his father said, he barely ever came home, while his mother hoped her son would finally get to spend some time with his family after the series.“Ab shayad kuch din ghar rahe (Hopefully he can stay at home for a few days now),” said Mayank’s mother Mamta Yadav.For Mayank, Harare’s wicket is not just a number on the scorecard, but a pace gun that he must have loved. It marked the end of a long and painful road filled with injury, recovery and uncertainty. Uncompromising on pace, Delhi’s fast bowler has finally given himself the perfect platform to chase the promise that initially made him one of India’s most exciting fast bowling prospects.
