Mayank Yadav’s return to international cricket could hardly have started better. The 23-year-old fast bowler took 2/18 from his four overs as India won comfortably against Zimbabwe, and was named Player of the Match. He dismissed Brian Bennett with the first ball of the game and later removed Dion Myers in the same opening spell.
A long road back
It was only Mayank’s fourth T20I and his first international appearance in almost two years. Repeated back problems interrupted a promising start to his career. He missed a large part of IPL 2025, suffered another setback after playing just two games, and eventually had surgery before beginning his recovery.
His route back ran through India A’s warm-up matches before the T20 World Cup, followed by four appearances for Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2026, in which he did not take a wicket.
Afterwards, he said the period away was mentally draining, particularly at 22 or 23 years old and with injuries recurring. What kept him going, he explained, was the dream of playing for India and the wish to pull on the India jersey again and deliver for his country.
Praise for Shreyas Iyer
Mayank also complimented new T20I captain Shreyas Iyer. He said the two had not talked much before the game, but that Iyer showed real faith in the bowlers during play, backed the plans Mayank had and gave him extra confidence whenever he offered advice. Mayank said he enjoyed playing under him.
A first win for Iyer
The result was Iyer’s first victory as T20I captain and ended a run of seven defeats that included losses in Ireland and England. It was also India’s first T20I win since they defended the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title earlier this year.
Mayank can now look to build on his display in the second T20I against Zimbabwe on July 25, where India can wrap up the series with a match to spare.
