Father’s ‘Govardhan Parikrama’ in Mathura pays off as Mayank Yadav makes a fiery comeback

Indian bowler Mayank Yadav gestures as he prepares to bowl during the first T20 cricket match between Zimbabwe and India in Harare, Zimbabwe, Thursday, July 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Wonder Mashura) New Delhi: Prabhu Yadav was performing ‘Govardhan Parikrama’ in Mathura when his son Mayank Yadav, over 7,000 km away at the Harare Sports Club, threw thunderbolts. The 24-year-old pacer, who made a comeback after two years, returned with a sensational spell of 2 for 18. It included a 149km/h first ball in the first T20I against Zimbabwe, dismissing Brian Bennett, who had terrorized India with a stunning 97 during the T20 World Cup earlier this year.“How did you say that? I didn’t even see that match. I just went to Mathura last night, just now Govardhan Bhagwaan After circling around I came back. (How did he bowl? I didn’t even watch the match. I came to Mathura only last night. I just finished Govardhan Bhagwan Parikrama and now I’m heading back),” he tells TimesofIndia.com from Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, after completing the sacred 21-km circumnavigation of the Govardhan hill.“Stay fit, it’s requested. The last two years have been very difficult for the children. (I prayed for his fitness and success. The last two years have been really tough for the boy),” says Yadav Sr., panting after a long walk.While Prabhu Yadav, who works at a factory in Okhla that makes sirens for ambulances and police cars, struggled for breath after a tiring seven-hour walk, Yadav Jr. he made the Zimbabwean batsmen dance to his tunes during a hostile spell.

Kyu mazak kar rahe ho sir?’ (Are you kidding me sir?) Those were his words when I told him about his choice. He wasn’t expecting the call

Devender Sharma, Coach Mayank Yadav

It has been a tough few years for Mayank Yadav. After wowing everyone with his blistering pace during IPL 2024, he was sidelined for over a year due to a stress fracture. But the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) never lost faith in the youngster. For the past two years, the BCCI Center of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru has been his second home.“It wasn’t easy for the boy. Frequent injuries took a toll on him physically and mentally,” says Devender Sharma, who coached the fast bowler in his formative years.“He was upset. But he worked hard. He gave his best every day. After any injury, rehabilitation is very important and he did it diligently. That helped him get back to where he belongs,” says Sharma.

Mayank Yadav (Image credit: BCCI)

Devender recalls how shocked Mayank was when he congratulated him over the phone after he was picked for the three-match series against Zimbabwe.“”Why are you joking sir?‘ (Are you kidding me sir?) These were his words when I told him about his choice. He was not expecting a call,” says Devender.Mayank’s much-anticipated IPL return this year didn’t go according to plan; in the four matches he played for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), he failed to take a single wicket conceding 182 runs at an economy rate of 11.37.However, he always was in the scheme of things. He was named in the India A squad for the warm-up matches against the USA and Namibia ahead of the FIFA T20 World Cup. He was then among the seven bowlers called up by Team India to New Chandigarh ahead of the one-off Test against Afghanistan. Over the course of three matches at the net, Mayank bowled at a brisk pace with the red ball and was closely watched by bowling coach Morne Morkel.

He played almost 15 overs every day in the CoE for the last year. Aim to bowl 20 overs a day. They want him ready for Test cricket from the next World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.

Coach Devender Sharma Mayank Yadav

“Look, he is a special talent and that’s why you see BCCI has backed him. They were never frustrated. They showed faith in him,” says Sharma.Devender also shared what the youngster has been up to in the past year.“He has bowled almost 15 overs every day in the CoE for the last one year. The target is to bowl 20 overs a day. They want him ready for Test cricket from the next World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. He has been managed very carefully by all parties involved and I hope he stays fit and repays the faith the board has shown in him,” says Sharma.

Mayank Yadav celebrates a wicket

Mayank’s mentor and former Delhi U-19 coach Narender Negi echoes Devender’s sentiments and shares details of the bowler’s struggles with injuries.“It’s not easy to go steady at 145 km/h. He was also unlucky with injuries. First was a stress fracture in his back, then an ankle injury, followed by a calf and knee injury. It’s not easy to deal with so many setbacks,” says Negi.“People wrote him off and I think he proved everyone wrong today. Yes, it’s only one game, but he’s definitely back,” added Negi.On Thursday, Mayank was consistently operating in the mid to high 140s. He troubled the Zimbabwean batsmen with sharp seam movement, steep bounce and relentless pace. During the innings break, he admitted he was nervous before bowling his first ball.

First it was a stress fracture in my back, then an ankle injury, followed by a calf and knee injury. It is not easy to deal with so many failures

Narinder Negi | Mayank Yadav’s mentor

“It’s always a great feeling when you come back and play for your country, especially when you make a spell like that. It’s a fantastic feeling and I don’t think I can put it into words. Obviously there were some nerves. To come back after two years, there’s always going to be pressure. There was some nervousness in the middle,” he told the broadcasters.“After taking the wicket with the first ball, I calmed down a lot. I gained confidence that I can deliver even after returning after two years,” he added.

Mullanpur: India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel, right, interacts with Mayank Yadav during a training session ahead of the Test cricket match against Afghanistan in Mullanpur. (PTI Photo/Atul Yadav) (PTI06_05_2026_000020B)

It has been a tumultuous few years for the Delhi pacer. According to his father, he was hardly home, while his mother hopes that her son will finally spend some time with his family after this streak.“Ab shayad kuch din ghar rahe (hopefully he stays home for a few days now),” says Mamta Yadav, Mayank’s mother.For Mayank, wickets in Harare were more than just numbers on the scorecard, it was a quickie he must have liked. It marked the end of a long, painful journey of injury, rehabilitation and uncertainty. Without compromising on pace, the Delhi quick has finally given himself the perfect platform to live up to the promise that has made him one of India’s most exciting fast bowling prospects.