Mayank Yadav expressed his disbelief over his maiden India call-up for the T20I series against Bangladesh, recalling how he confirmed the news through the BCCI website and shared the emotional moment with his mother.
New Delhi: Fast bowler Mayank Yadav said that he is still in a state of shock after receiving his maiden India call-up for the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh. Mayank Yadav said that when he heard the news, he immediately rushed to check the website of the BCCI. His ability to consistently bowl 150-plus deliveries during this season of IPL 2024 while taking crucial wickets did not go unnoticed, and now, he will report to Gwalior later this week as the series starts on October 6.
“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 told Times of India.
Mayank, who won two Player of the Match awards in just four appearances for Lucknow Super Giants and claimed seven wickets, revealed that he immediately called his mother upon hearing the news of his India call-up, and she was moved to tears.
“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.
Mayank suffered an injury during his fourth appearance in IPL 2024, which ruled him out for the rest of the season. After recovering, the fast bowler faced another setback while bowling at the BCCI’s National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, keeping him in rehabilitation until his recent call-up.
Mayank, in an interview with a national daily, recalled the career-changing advice from India head coach Gautam Gambhir, with whom he worked closely in 2023 during Gambhir’s tenure as mentor of the Lucknow Super Giants.
“Gautam bhaiya had 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. I was struggling to even find a sponsor for my shoe despite being in an IPL team and having played for Delhi. Gautam bhaiya’s words stayed with me. He and Vijay Dahiya (former coach at LSG) had clearly told me that I would get my first game after one or two years. 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. As far as Morne is concerned, he doesn’t speak much. If he observes anything then he will come and point it out. He will mostly talk about strategies,” he added.