Selectors want tearaway pacer Mayank Yadav to be fit for Test series in Australia starting November

Post IPL, with an eye on the tour of Australia in November, the BCCI is all set to put in place an extensive training programme for young pace sensation Mayank Yadav.

The Indian Express understands that Mayank will head to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, where a medical assessment will be done before he is handed over to biomechanics experts and fast-bowling coach Troy Cooley. The plan is to include him in the India ‘A’ team which is likely to tour Australia in June or July before the five-match Test series which beings on November 22

The 21-year-old Mayank, who burst into the IPL scene this season by clocking speeds in excess of 150kph consistently, has suffered two injuries already. In early April, during a match against Gujarat Titans, Mayank walked off after bowling one over. With tests revealing that he had soreness in the lower abdominal area, he subsequently missed the following five matches before making a return against Mumbai Indians last Tuesday.

𝙎𝙃𝙀𝙀𝙍 𝙋𝘼𝘾𝙀! 🔥🔥

Mayank Yadav with an absolute ripper to dismiss Cameron Green 👏

Head to @JioCinema and @StarSportsIndia to watch the match LIVE#TATAIPL | #RCBvLSG pic.twitter.com/sMDrfmlZim

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 2, 2024

His return lasted only 3.1 overs as he again walked-off with the same complaint.

While former players have been in favour of fast-tracking Mayank into the national fold, the BCCI is in no mood to rush. Instead, it is understood that the selectors are now in discussion to include Mayank in the national fast-bowling contract, which was introduced earlier this year.

And once Mayank’s IPL commitments get over, the BCCI will send him to the NCA, where he will undergo tests and a medical assessment after which he will be handed over to the physios. It is understood that minor tweaks will be needed in Mayank’s bowling action — in running mechanics, landing and follow-through.

“The most important thing is he has to be pain free before any formal training begins. He shouldn’t experience pain at any stage of his running. Once that is done, then the focus will shift to bio-mechanics and bowling,” Ramji Srinivasan, the strength and conditioning coach at the MRF Pace Foundation told The Indian Express.

It is learnt that Mayank’s back-foot landing is identified as a cause of concern as it could lead to back injuries in the future.

“Similarly, in the follow-through, his left-hand is getting locked inside the hip and it can lead to side strains. And based on what bio-mechanics throws up, he has to work accordingly,” Ramji added.

Since making his first-class debut in 2022, Mayank hasn’t played a long-format match as he had suffered quadriceps injury as well in the past.

Keeping the Border-Gavaskar series in mind, the selectors are planning to send a young crop of pacers for the A team tour, which will see them playing multi-day cricket during the Aussie winter. “The plan is to gradually increase his workload. If he is fit and ready, the ‘A’-team tour will be a good developmental tour for him. If not, we will see him in the Duleep Trophy,” sources familiar with the development said.

Cooley-Cummins connect

At the NCA, Mayank is expected to be under the care of Cooley, who previously worked with Pat Cummins in his early days when the Australian captain was suffering from various injuries soon after his Test debut. From 2011 to 2016 as Cummins suffered a heel injury, side strain, two back stress fractures, Cooley worked closely with the fast-bowler scripting one of the most successful comebacks.

And BCCI sources also don’t rule out the possibility of the involvement of strength and conditioning coach S Rajinikanth, who helped Bumrah’s comeback.

That the BCCI is having specific plans for Mayank isn’t surprising at all. After his latest injury setback, former Australia pacer Brett Lee was scathing in his assessment. “A side strain or whatever they’re calling it, normally takes at least four to six weeks to even come right. We don’t know the depths of how big a strain it was but for somebody who is pushing the limits of their body by bowling 150 kmph, that’s not good management at all. His first game coming back and getting injured, has to directly be on the leadership and the medical staff of the Lucknow Super Giants,” Lee told JioCinema.

Former India batsman Mohammad Kaif also made a rallying cry to the Lucknow team management to not rush him back from the injury. “Look, my request is, Mayank Yadav is the heritage. If he is not fit then do not force him for the match. I felt that he was forced, he went out in the middle of bowling,” Kaif said.

Get latest updates on IPL 2024 from IPL Points Table to Teams, Schedule, Most Runs and Most Wickets along with live score updates for all matches. Also get Sports news and more cricket updates.

Disclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.