‘Why is he always detained?’: Ashwin fires back at Mayank Yadav’s critics

Indian bowler Mayank Yadav (AP Photo/Wonder Mashura) Mayank Yadav’s return to international cricket could hardly have gone better and former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes the young fast bowler deserves patience after overcoming a tough injury spell. Playing his first international match since October 2024, Mayank announced his comeback in style during the opening T20I against Zimbabwe in Harare. The speedster was named man of the match after producing a match-winning spell that began with a wicket off the very first ball of the contest. Mayank removed Brian Bennett for a duck with a hard delivery which straightened after the pitch and pushed the outside edge which was caught safely behind the stumps. He continued to test Zimbabwe’s batsmen with his pace and discipline, dismissing Dion Myers during the power-play and putting the hosts under immediate pressure. His spell laid the foundation for India’s commanding bowling display. The performance marked a significant moment in the pacer’s career after his rapid rise was halted by an injury-plagued period. Initially drafted into the Indian side as part of the team’s long-term plans for the 2026 T20 World Cup, Mayank has spent the last two years battling recurring fitness issues that repeatedly interrupted his progress. Speaking on Ash ki Baat, Ashwin reflected on the challenges of returning from multiple injuries and urged fans to avoid judging players too quickly. “It’s not easy to go through a stress fracture at a young age. We often see and wonder why he’s always held back? He’s always injured. That’s easy to say. No player plays to get injured. Injury can be very painful. It’s not only a physical barrier, but also a mental barrier, especially if you’re injured twice. It’s not easy on the body. If it happens again, it plays on your mind and he has an extraordinary talent.” he said in ‘Ash ki Baat’. Ashwin also acknowledged India’s convincing start to the series and congratulated new T20I captain Shreyas Iyer for his first win as captain. “Congratulations to Shreyas for his first win. He would be looking for it. When you restrict Zimbabwe to 120, there is not much to see. Mayank, Prince and Ashok all got opportunities,” he said. Mayank’s impressive comeback has not only revived the pace of India’s options, but also reinforced why he continues to be regarded as one of the most exciting fast-bowling prospects in the country when fully fit.