Mayank Yadav, the pacer of Lucknow Super Giants and making rounds in the news for his sheer pace in the IPL 2024, is about to be called to play for India for the first time in his career. As per the report published in Times of India on Saturday, 28 September, the right-arm fast bowler aged 22 from Delhi is currently training at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) basing in Bengaluru in a special camp with Hardik Pandya, Riyan Parag and Abhishek Sharma.
“Mayank has not reported of any pain in the last month and more. He is at the NCA bowling at full pace. The selectors are interested to assess what he has to offer as he prepares for international action. With a lengthy Test series set to commence, the selectors are eager to test other players out in the T20s against Bangladesh. Pandya has not engaged in any match for about two months. Abhishek also requires some good training,” a source was reported to have said by the TOI.
The team management of the Indian team is likely to rest most of the Test players in the later part of the tour for the T20I series against Bangladesh commencing from October 6 in Gwalior and bring in new players. Saurabh, who is yet to don the national colours, is next in line to earn a call up.
Mayank, who has resumed bowling around 20 overs in three stints with the white ball per day, is expected to be included in the squad for the series against Bangladesh as selectors have watched him in the NCA camp. Agarkar is expected to reach Bengaluru to grace the unveiling of the revamped NCA,” the insider stated.
It has also been learnt that Mayank, who has yet not been given the greenlight to play in the Ranji Trophy, which is set to begin on October 11, may however be asked by the selectors to accompany the Indian squad during the home series of the three Tests against New Zealand next month.
“Selectors do not wish for him to be limited to playing only the T20 leagues. Hence, it is for that reason that they want to keep a close eye on him. Morne Morkel, the bowling coach, and the head coach of India, both rated Mayank very highly during their stint with Lucknow Super Giants,” he added.
Jasprit Bumrah is likely to be preserved for the T20I series against Bangladesh alongside Mohammed Siraj, in which case the Indian team will be spearheaded by Arshdeep Singh in the ensuing absence. The other fast bowlers in contention for the three-match series include Avesh Khan, Harshit Rana, Khaleel Ahmed, and Mukesh Kumar.
