Speedster Mayank Yadav, Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir didn't tell him to do anything different other than focusing on his strengths and abilities on his T20I debut against Bangladesh in Gwalior on Sunday.
The 22-year-old pacer, who had a breakout IPL 2024, did live up to the billing and started his international career with a maiden over while showcasing his sheer pace and control on the ball.
He didn't ask me to do anything extra or differently. That I just focus on my strengths and abilities and do what I do best—those things that have worked well for me in the past. He told me to stick to those and not put pressure on myself by overthinking that I'm now playing international cricket.". Just playing to my strengths and staying back to the basics will take me forward, Mayank said JioCinema about head coach Gambhir's advice to him.
Mayank, who came back with the figures of 1-21 in his four overs, explained that his focus was to stay consistent with his lengths.
"My pace is always in the back of my mind, but throughout my IPL journey, I've learned that consistency is the key here and especially at the international level, line and length are very important, and even when you play that way consistently, the batsman starts to respect you. So, that is what I have been doing recently and it's because of this that I am currently playing well," observed the bowler.
Mayank too spoke about his recovery from a recurring abdominal strain that ruled him out of the IPL 2024 after four games.
The time during my injury was very hard as I had to go through so many phases in the last four months, which included ups and downs. For the guys working with me too, also I used to feel like they were going through tough times. So, the phase between the IPL and my debut was a little tough, he said.
The speedster said he talks about his variations and said, "During the IPL season, I did not use the slower ones much because they were not really required. I used to talk with my captain, and he would ask me to focus on my stock deliveries. If the wicket was helping me, I wouldn't try too many variations. So, I relied on my stock balls, and I didn't use slower ones as much.". But the wicket was slow today with very little bounce and keeping low, so I thought a change of pace might do the trick.
Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakravarthy took three wickets each to bowl out Bangladesh for 127. In response, Hardik Pandya's blistering 39 off 16 balls laced with five fours and two sixes, along with 29 from Sanju Samson and captain Suryakumar Yadav, saw the side home with 49 balls to spare.
The second T20I between India and Bangladesh will be played at Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi on Wednesday.
Read also| We walked the talk as per decisions taken at team meeting, Says Suryakumar
Read also| Varun Chakravarthy Describes Return to India Team as a 'Rebirth'
