Brief Scores: India (126/3 in 13.2 ovs) beat Zimbabwe (125/7) by seven wickets in the first T20I in Harare. Sooryavanshi (50)
India pacer Mayank Yadav has described his two-year injury-enforced absence from international cricket as the toughest phase of his young career, saying the repeated setbacks tested him mentally during what should have been the formative years of his career.
Making his first appearance for India since October 2024, the Delhi speedster returned in style with figures of 2 for 18 in four overs against Zimbabwe in the first T20I in Harare on Thursday. He was named Player of the Match after striking with the very first ball of the contest and consistently troubling the batters with high pace.
ZIM vs IND 1st T20I: SCORECARD | HIGHLIGHTS
Speaking after India’s comfortable victory, Mayank admitted the road back had been anything but easy.
“It was very difficult. The two-year gap was very challenging for me as a person. I was only 22-23 years old at that time, so that always affected me that I had to go through so much at such a young age,” Mayank said at the post-match press conference.
“But at the same time, the motivation to play for the country is every player’s childhood dream. That was the motivation for me – to come back for the country and perform.”
The 24-year-old said the conditions in Harare suited his style of bowling and helped him settle quickly into his comeback game.
“I had heard a lot about Zimbabwe, that there is good help for the fast bowlers here. This is my first time playing in Harare and it felt great. I was getting a lot of help from the wicket and I think that helped me contribute to the team.”
Mayank also praised captain Shreyas Iyer for giving the bowlers the freedom to execute their plans while remaining actively involved with tactical inputs.
“I am playing under his captaincy for the first time. During the match I felt he showed a lot of confidence in the bowlers. Whatever I wanted to bowl, he backed it, and whenever he gave advice, I felt very confident in following it. I felt very free playing under his captaincy.”
India fielded an inexperienced pace attack in Harare, with Ashok Sharma and Prince Yadav also featuring alongside Mayank. The pacer said the group constantly exchanged ideas during Zimbabwe’s innings.
“We don’t talk much about pace but we have a very good bond. Whatever help I got in my first over, I shared it with Ashok and Prince – what was the better option and how we could attack. We always have good conversations.”
Mayank’s return came after a frustrating period in which injuries repeatedly stalled his progress. He also missed the India A tour of Sri Lanka earlier this year and endured a difficult IPL campaign, managing no wickets in four matches.
Against Zimbabwe, however, there were encouraging signs from the outset. He generated sharp pace, regularly bowled in the high-140kph range and looked in complete control throughout his four-over spell.
‘VAIBHAV CAN GO VERY FAR’
The pacer also reserved special praise for 15-year-old opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, whose maiden international half-century helped India chase down the target with ease.
“His batting is unbelievable. When I bowled to him, he played some shots that you can’t expect from such a young player with so little experience. He always gives you a new experience and it’s great to watch him.”
Mayank believes Sooryavanshi has the talent to enjoy a long international career. “I think he can go very far because the talent he has at this age is fabulous. I never imagined a 15-year-old guy would come and smash everyone like that. It’s a great feeling to be in his team now because in the IPL, when we were playing against him, he smacked us like anything.”
The fast bowler said Sooryavanshi’s maiden T20I fifty would give the teenager a significant confidence boost after a lean run in recent series.
“I think it will be a very special moment for him. He didn’t have very good matches in the last couple of series and now he has got his first half-century for the country. That’s always a very special moment for any player, and especially for a 15-year-old kid. The way he smashed the ball was great.”
– Ends
