India’s stand-in bowling coach Sunil Joshi has backed Mayank Yadav and Ashok Sharma as valuable additions to the country’s growing fast-bowling reserves, saying the emergence of quality pacers will help the national team cope with the demands of a packed international calendar.
Speaking ahead of the second T20I against Zimbabwe in Harare, Joshi praised both young quicks after their encouraging performances in the series opener. He is serving as India’s bowling coach for the three-match series in the absence of regular bowling coach Morne Morkel.
“It’s very pleasing because he (Mayank) has come back very strong (after injury). His rhythm has been very good. Ashok… we have seen how he is effective in Sri Lanka (during India A tour),” Joshi said at the pre-match press conference.
“He got the opportunity for that. It’s a good thing for the Indian fast bowling pool that we have so many fast bowlers. We just have to prepare them as opportunities can come at any time,” he added.
BUILDING PACE DEPTH
India’s pace attack has largely revolved around established names such as Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj in recent years. However, with both senior pacers featuring across all three formats, workload management has become increasingly important, making the development of a deeper pool of fast bowlers a priority for the team management.
That is where the emergence of Mayank and Ashok comes as a significant boost. Both have impressed in different environments before earning opportunities with the senior side, giving India additional options as they continue to rotate their pace resources across formats.
Ashok made his India debut in the opening T20I of the series in Harare after an impressive breakthrough season with Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League. The express pacer had caught the eye with his ability to consistently trouble batters with his raw pace, including delivering one of the fastest balls of the tournament during Gujarat’s clash against Rajasthan Royals at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
MAYANK’S STRONG COMEBACK
Mayank’s return has been equally encouraging. The speedster wore India colours again after nearly two years following a frustrating run of injuries that limited his appearances over the past two IPL seasons.
While his pace remains his biggest weapon, Mayank has also shown encouraging signs of growth as a bowler. He has displayed improved game awareness, adapting his lengths and plans according to the conditions and the opposition rather than relying solely on speed.
Those improvements were on display in the first T20I against Zimbabwe. Mayank struck early with the new ball, dismantling the top order and giving India complete control of the contest inside the Powerplay.
Ashok, meanwhile, grew into the innings after a slightly expensive start. Despite conceding a couple of boundaries during the Powerplay and later at the death, the youngster impressed with his control through the middle overs, consistently hitting hard lengths and asking questions of the Zimbabwe batters with his pace.
EYES ON SERIES CLINCHER
With India leading the three-match series, both young quicks will be eager to build on their promising starts when the teams meet again in the second T20I.
Another strong performance from Mayank and Ashok would not only help India seal the series in Harare but also strengthen their own cases as long-term options in India’s fast-bowling setup. For the team management, that is perhaps the biggest positive, with a growing crop of exciting pacers ready to step up whenever the opportunity arises.
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