Mayank Yadav, the young speedster who has captured attention with his impressive performances, has received his first call-up to Team India’s T20I squad for the upcoming series against Bangladesh. The 22-year-old cricketer, known for his ability to bowl at speeds exceeding 150 kph, expressed his emotions upon learning about his selection.
A Surprising Announcement
In an interview with the Times of India, Mayank recounted how he discovered the news of his selection. “I wasn’t aware of the selection. But I saw my mates here receiving congratulatory calls. I just checked the BCCI website and got to know my name was there,” he shared. This unexpected revelation led him to immediately call his mother, resulting in an emotional conversation as he reflected on his journey in cricket.
“Once I put down the phone, I had flashbacks in front of my eyes—from the day I first went to Sonnet Club to the four anxious months spent at the NCA to recover from frequent niggles,” he added, highlighting the challenges he overcame to reach this milestone.
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Focused on Making an Impact
With anticipation surrounding his debut, Mayank is determined to seize this opportunity. He recalled advice from Gautam Gambhir, who emphasized the importance of making the most out of every chance. “Gautam bhaiya once told me that there will be players who get multiple chances to prove themselves and there will be some who will get just one opportunity,” Yadav remarked.
Despite facing financial struggles early in his career, including difficulties securing sponsorships even while playing in the IPL, Mayank found support from the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) management. “I was struggling to even find a sponsor for my shoe despite being in an IPL team and having played for Delhi,” he explained, underscoring how perseverance and support played crucial roles in his development.
Rising Through Challenges
Mayank’s journey has not been without obstacles. His IPL season was cut short due to injuries, which required an extended rehabilitation period at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). However, he made a strong comeback during this year’s IPL season, where he showcased his exceptional talent by consistently bowling at high speeds and earning recognition for his performance.
“When the opportunity came this year, I had to make it count. The day after my IPL debut, I got offers for my bowling shoes,” he noted, illustrating how quickly fortunes can change in professional sports.
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