Mayank Yadav reacts to India call-up: 'Gautam Gambhir's words resonated with me'

Excitement and shock washed over fast bowler Mayank Yadav when he received the news of his maiden India call-up for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh. Wanting to confirm the news for himself, Mayank quickly rushed to the BCCI website to double-check. Mayank, who impressed everyone with his ability to consistently bowl deliveries above 150 kmph and take crucial wickets during IPL 2024, will be joining the squad in Gwalior this week for the series starting 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 his four appearances for Lucknow Super Giants and picked seven wickets, revealed that immediately called his mother, who was left in 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 had incurred an injury during his fourth appearance in IPL 2024 and was later ruled out of the season. After recovering, the right-armer picked up another injury during bowling at BCCI's National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, and remained in rehabilitation ever since.

Mayank, speaking to the national daily, also recalled India head coach Gautam Gambhir's career-changing advice, with whom he worked in 2023 when the former India cricketer was the mentor of LSG.

“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.