India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has acknowledged the potential of express pacer Mayank Yadav, but emphasizes the need for careful management amidst the demanding cricket schedule. Mayank’s impressive 155kph pace during IPL 2024 caught attention, earning him Player-of-the-Match awards in his first two games before an abdominal injury sidelined him.
Despite his absence from competitive cricket since then, Suryakumar confirms Mayank’s full recovery and his addition to the Indian team. “He has the X factor, as seen in franchise cricket,” Suryakumar said. “His extra pace can make a difference. I haven’t faced him in the nets, but I’ve witnessed his potential. He’s a valuable addition, and I expect him to perform well.”
However, Suryakumar stresses the importance of managing Mayank’s workload due to the intense cricket calendar. “It’s crucial to manage him well, considering the amount of cricket being played,” he said. “We need to pay proper attention, and the BCCI is doing that.”
Regarding the upcoming T20I against Bangladesh at the Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium, Suryakumar expressed optimism about the pitch conditions. “The pitch looks good,” he said. “We practiced on the center wicket and didn’t find it too slow or low. It should be a good wicket for T20 cricket, with a balance between bat and ball.”
Despite the venue’s lack of previous domestic or international matches, Suryakumar believes the team is well-prepared. “We’ve practiced here for three days and know the conditions,” he said. “We’ll play our usual style, and if everyone contributes, we’ll get the desired results.”
Suryakumar also highlighted the growing trend of batters contributing with the ball in white-ball cricket. “It’s beneficial if batters can bowl an over or two,” he said. “Almost everyone in this squad can bowl, giving us more options. As seen in Sri Lanka, Riyan [Parag] bowled four overs. If someone is confident in bowling under pressure, why not?”
