Mayank Yadav is the only new face in the Indian squad to be picked for the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh.

New Delhi: Four Indian Premier League matches followed and he was sidelined for five months due to injury. Mayank Yadav wouldn't dream of a call-up to India anytime soon without any match practice. But it became inevitable when the BCCI named the Lucknow Super Giants fast bowler in the 15-member squad for the home T20I series against Bangladesh starting next month.

The Delhi fast bowler, who has played just 14 T20 matches so far, paid off his eye when he bowled 150 mid-clicks for LSG in three of his four IPL 2024 matches, winning back-to-back Player of the Year awards that grabbed global attention. The match was included. . Midway through the IPL, the 22-year-old was ruled out with an abdominal strain.

Such is his talent that he was wrapped in cotton wool in an extensive rehabilitation program and of late has been bowling 14-15 overs per day at the National Cricket Academy. Normally in India, no cricketer gets a quick entry into the Indian team without trialling in the domestic circuit.

But in Mayank's case, things took a different turn as NCA chief and former India batsman VVS Laxman took a special interest in the young pace sensation. Laxman took special interest in Mayank ever since he entered the NCA and as soon as he was declared fit by the medical team, the BCCI wasted no time in drafting him for the Bangladesh series.

Mayank's coach Devendra Sharma revealed Laxman's behind-the-scenes story. “All credit to Laxman sir. He took special interest in Mayank from the day Mayank went to NCA. He was given clear instructions by Laxman sir to work on his core strength first and then start bowling,” Sharma told The Indian Express.

“It was a slow process. BCCI did not want to take any risk. He started bowling two months ago and it took him a month to get back to his normal pace. For the last six weeks, he has been bowling 15 overs every day at NCA, another instruction given to him by Laxman sir,” added Devendra.

However, it is believed that the Bangladesh series is the best chance for the national selectors and head coach Gautam Gambhir to test how he copes with just four overs at the international level before introducing the red ball format in the Ranji Trophy. .

If his fitness continues, they can gradually build him up in the longer formats as he is considered to be the longest-serving prospect in Indian cricket. Devendra also said that Mayank is planning for India in the Border Gavaskar Trophy to be held in Australia.

“Yes, Mayank is tempted to go to Australia. But as far as I know he will be tested first in T20Is. He was then asked to play the Ranji Trophy for Delhi. The NCA will want to monitor his body and see if it can withstand the pressure of the four days. Right now he is fit to bowl four overs, I think he needs a season of domestic cricket to get ready for the four-day matches,” he said.