'I just want to be available for all games' - Mayank Yadav ahead of IPL

Mayank Yadav stormed into Indian cricket as a fast-bowling sensation in 2024 and was immediately hailed as the next big thing, only for injuries to stymie his rise. His body struggled to cope with the demands of pace bowling and so far he has managed to play only six IPL games across two seasons besides the three T20Is he played for India in October 2024.

After undergoing surgery last year, Mayank appears to have put his career back on track. While experts doubt if he will be as nippy and fiery at the start of the tournament as he once was, the Lucknow Super Giants pacer is only 23, has age on his side, and stresses he is 100% ready.

I am 100 percent ready right now; my injury is completely fine. I had surgery last year after the two matches I played in the IPL. It's all fine.

Yeah, definitely, definitely. The physios and the trainers at the CoE did a brilliant job, and I'm able to bowl at 100 percent after the surgery. I was a bit concerned about how my bowling would be post surgery, but it's back on track.

Not just physically, but mentally as well. The work I've put in over the last 8-9 months during rehab has been significant. It takes a lot of effort, especially since this was my first major surgery, so it was a very different situation for me. There were a lot of restrictions at the start, but once things began to improve, I was able to do what I wanted. So, overall, it was quite good, I would say. Whatever happened, it turned out well.

So, the only thing I can do is focus on my recovery and diet. That's what I'm concentrating on - my food, sleep and the recovery work I've been doing with the trainer over the past three years. That's my main focus right now.

I'd say two things. First is the natural ability given by God, and second is the work I've put in behind that. At a very early stage, I realised I could bowl quick, so I respected that and worked around it.

A lot, actually. I can't speak for others - it's an individual thing - but for me, a day before a match or even a practice session, I would tell myself that I have to bowl fast the next day. So, mental preparation is very important to handle that impact on the body. For me, it's crucial.

I think they have shown complete trust in me, whether I'm injured or playing. Especially the owner (Sanjiv Goenka) - he has helped me a lot. Even during rehab, he would message me to check how things were going, how my body was feeling. So, I think the franchise has played a huge role, and the amount of trust they've shown in me is remarkable.

I think I was playing for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Delhi and UP were practising together in Chandigarh, at the Mohali stadium. I think that's where Vijay Dahiya saw me, and he passed my name on to the right people, and from there they discovered me.

It is helping a lot because we have quite a bit of experience with him. He has worked with many different types of fast bowlers in our country. He understands how to develop a bowler who can bowl at 150 and one who operates around 140, so he brings a lot of experience. It's helping me a lot in the camp right now.

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