Mayank Yadav excitedly shares his experience of finding his name on the BCCI website for maiden India call-up for T20I series against Bangladesh

New Delhi: Up-and-coming fast bowler Mayank Yadav expressed his disbelief at receiving his first-ever India call-up for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh. Yadav revealed that he was in a state of shock upon hearing the news and quickly jumped on the BCCI website to confirm the exciting development. His impressive performance in the current season of IPL 2024, consistently bowling over 150 deliveries and taking key wickets, caught the attention of the selectors. He will be joining the squad in Gwalior later this week in preparation for the series kickstarting 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.