Mayank Yadav finds renewed purpose in India comeback

Mayank Yadav said the motivation to return to India’s T20I side helped him endure a gruelling two‑year stretch of back injuries, speaking after starring in India’s dominant win over Zimbabwe in Harare. The 22‑year‑old speedster set the tone immediately, striking with the first ball to remove Brian Bennett and later dismissing Dion Myers, finishing with an impressive 2 for 18 in four overs.

It was his first India appearance since 2024, following surgery and multiple setbacks that cost him most of IPL 2025 and left him wicketless in a brief IPL 2026 stint. Mayank admitted the layoff was mentally draining but said the childhood dream of playing for India kept him focused.

He praised the support of fellow quicks Ashok Sharma and Prince Yadav, and said Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy allowed him to feel “very free” and fully backed. India now look to seal the series in Saturday’s second T20I.