(IPL Credit)
The Indian men’s cricket team is gearing up for a tour to Sri Lanka by the end of July, where they will take on the Sri Lankan team in a series comprising three T20Is and three ODIs. This series, featuring the finalists of the 2023 Asia Cup, is scheduled to kick off on July 27. The BCCI selectors are expected to finalize India’s squad for this bilateral contest within the coming week. Reports suggest that key players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah are likely to sit out of this away series, opting for rest ahead of the demanding Test season ahead.
In anticipation of the team selection, Mayank Yadav, who made waves during IPL 2024 with his performances for Lucknow Super Giants, has shared a significant update regarding his fitness. The 22-year-old fast bowler from Delhi attracted attention for his pace in the lucrative league but faced setbacks due to fitness issues. He managed to participate in only four matches, securing seven wickets due to injury concerns.
Currently undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, Yadav has announced his return to bowling with a full run-up and intensity, indicating positive progress in his recovery.
“My recovery programme went very well, and I feel much better now. I feel much fitter as well,” Mayank was quoted as saying by The Telegraph.
Despite making good progress in his recovery program, Mayank Yadav is expected to extend his stay at the NCA for a while longer. This development has cast doubts on his inclusion in the upcoming Sri Lanka series.
“Yes, I’ll have to spend some more time here, but the good thing is, I’ve been bowling with the full run-up and a lot of intensity over the past few days. I’m happy with my progress so far,” he added.
In IPL 2024, Mayank Yadav debuted for LSG against the Punjab Kings in Lucknow on March 30, taking three wickets for 27 runs. His impressive start continued in the second match against RCB, where he claimed another three wickets for just 14 runs. However, his campaign hit a setback during the third match against the Gujarat Titans when he suffered an injury scare, restricting him to just one over.
This forced him to miss several subsequent matches. Although he made a comeback against the Mumbai Indians on April 30, he faced discomfort during the match and was unable to complete his full quota of overs.
Expected participant in Duleep Trophy.
As per information from a source within the BCCI, it appears that BCCI intends to allow Mayank ample time for complete recovery. It is anticipated that he will return to action during the upcoming Duleep Trophy, scheduled to commence on September 5 in Anantapur.
“A young fast bowler like Mayank needs to be given the necessary amount of time to first cope with the needs of the different formats. So, he’s still being closely monitored. If he’s rushed into the Indian team, it’s a risk, as that could lead to a breakdown. So, if needed, getting him ready for India could also begin next year. However, if he plays in the Duleep Trophy and does well, he may also be considered for the coming home series (against Bangladesh and New Zealand),” a BCCI official said.
