In the first week of IPL 2024, a 21-year-old pacer burst onto the scene. Clocking 150 kph at ease and picking up six wickets in his first two games, Lucknow Super Giants’ Mayank Yadav already being tipped to be a future India star, with calls coming to include him in the 2024 T20 World Cup squad and take him to India’s tour of Australia. With the T20 World Cup well behind us, and the Australia tour not too far away, Mayank Yadav’s hype has faded away. In fact, the fast bowler hasn’t played a game since the IPL.

Yadav is still reportedly recovering from his injury, and is not ready to bowl yet. The pacer – who turned 22 in June – spends time at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.

“He has spent every alternate week over the last three months at the NCA. We are hoping that he will be back to his best before our first Ranji Trophy match,” a Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) official told The Indian Express.

Former Delhi U19 coach and Mayank’s mentor Narender Negi has said that bowling 12-15 overs a day is a part of Mayank’s routine as he is eased back to cricket. Mayank recently pulled out of the ongoing Delhi Premier League 2024.

“He has been given a routine by the physios at the NCA. They are monitoring his body. He has been working on his strength and has been told to develop his leg and back muscles. They are being very careful with Mayank,” said Negi.

“He is a special talent and is being looked after by the BCCI, who don’t want to take any risk with Mayank,” he added.

Former Team India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, who was part of the national setup during Rahul Dravid‘s tenure, stated that it is important for Mayank to get back into action.

“I don’t agree that if he is not ready, just don’t play him. This is the age where he has to bowl. A bowler should bowl. The more you bowl, the more you will have control, you will know your threshold as to how much your body can take. You can’t wrap him up in cotton wool saying he will get injured,” said Mhambrey.

He urged Mayank to play more red ball cricket, stating that that would help him improve his fitness and confidence.

“When you play one season, you understand your bowling. You bowl in different conditions. Physically, you will be tested in different phases of the game. Sometimes, you will have to be on the ground for six sessions. And to be able to bowl with the same intensity in the last session will give you confidence when you play at the international level. I strongly feel Mayank needs to grind it out in the domestic season,” he said.

The decision to elevate star batter Suryakumar Yadav into the leadership role has garnered much attention, especially with Hardik Pandya being snubbed of the same job. The decision to snub Hardik for the leadership role came as a shock to many. Over the past few years, Hardik has led Team India in T20Is in the absence of captain Rohit Sharma, and was also his deputy during the successful T20 World Cup campaign last month. While addressing the debate at a press conference, India chief selector Ajit Agarkar emphasised that the decision to name Suryakumar the captain was taken considering the fitness aspect in mind.

Former India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, whose tenure came to an end after the T20 World Cup last month, has backed the current management’s decision to name Suryakumar the captain, while also revealing the thought process behind the move.

“First and foremost, when you pick a captain, you expect the captain to play all the games in that format. We, the coaches and selectors, have always felt that here’s a guy who’s gonna have a long future in the T20 format. He has mastered that skill. One of the best in this format. He and Klaasen are maybe one or two in T20Is now based on their current form. Just the pure impact he has on winning games for India is phenomenal,” Mhanbrey told Hindustan Times.

Mhambrey added that Suryakumar shared a great bond with everyone in the dressing room, including the youngsters.

“He’s been with the team. I’ve seen him interact with the young guys. On one hand, we had Rohit and Virat, guys who are stalwarts, and then we have Surya, who is experienced but probably even closer to the youngsters. He is very friendly with everyone. He has that respect from the younger lot. The youngsters need to interact with him, he’s good at it. So, has a good bond with everyone in the team. He has come up through the ranks, so he has a lot of experience and is a smart cricketer,” he added.

Lastly, speaking on Gautam Gambhir‘s appointment as head coach, Mhambrey feels that the former KKR mentor would need some time to get the best out of the players.

“I haven’t interacted with him much. With his experience, I’m sure he’ll do a good job. But we need to give him some time,” he added.

Suryakumar Yadav will lead India in a three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, starting July 27.

Such is Jasprit Bumrah‘s standard that former India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey does not feel the need to advise him. Arguably the most complete bowler in the world across all three formats, Bumrah recently picked up 15 wickets as India won the 2024 T20 World Cup and bagged the ‘Player of the Tournament’ award. Mhambrey has candidly confessed that while he would love to make a name by being known as Bumrah’s coach, the reality is that Bumrah is a “once-in-a-generation” talent.

“What better than Bumrah bowling and I taking the credit? But I don’t. He is a once-in-a-generation bowler,” Mhambrey said, speaking to Vimal Kumar in an interview on the latter’s YouTube channel.

“Bumrah remembers when a batter hit him for a boundary two years ago. He is very competitive and constantly wants to improve. We have to be very smart in handling and preserving him,” said Mhambrey.

Mhambrey served as the bowling coach of Team India during Rahul Dravid‘s tenure as head coach, from November 2021 till the conclusion of the 2024 T20 World Cup. During his stint as bowling coach, Mohammed Shami finished as the leading wicket-taker of the 2023 ODI World Cup, and Arshdeep Singh took the most wickets in the 2024 T20 World Cup.

However, Bumrah is still the one who stood out.

“When I talk to him, I realise that he has a very clear mindset and knows what he is going to do. He understands when a batter is uncomfortable facing him. He then tries to exploit the situation. He will pick up small nuances to guess what the batter is trying to do,” said Mhambrey.

“Be it red ball, ODI, or T20s, he is No. 1,” stated Mhambrey.

Bumrah’s phenomenal T20 World Cup saw him bag 15 wickets at an astonishing economy of merely 4.17. More importantly, Bumrah stepped up when it mattered most, creating a sense of inevitability about his threat. Be it against Pakistan in the group stage, against Australia in the Super 8 or against South Africa in the final, Bumrah’s four overs always created a difference.

File photo of Mohammed Shami and Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir was named the new Indian cricket team head coach after Rahul Dravid‘s tenure came to an end following the T20 World Cup 2024 triumph. Gambhir, who was the mentor of Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2024, is all set to take charge of the team during the upcoming ODI and T20Is series in Sri Lanka. Along with his appointment, BCCI made it clear that a new support staff will also be announced in the near future. In the official release, BCCI thanked batting coach Vikram Rathour, bowling coach Paras Mhambrey and fielding coach T. DIlip for their services and wished them luck for the future.

“The Cricket Advisory Committee comprising Mr Ashok Malhotra, Mr Jatin Paranjpe and Ms Sulakshana Naik on Tuesday unanimously recommended Mr Gautam Gambhir as the Head Coach of Team India (Senior Men). The former India batter will take charge from the upcoming away series against Sri Lanka where Team India are set to play 3 ODIs & 3 T20Is starting July 27, 2024.” 

“The BCCI had invited applications for the said position on May 13th to appoint Mr Rahul Dravid’s successor, whose term got over after the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, 2024.”

“The Board would like to take this opportunity to express its heartfelt gratitude to Mr Dravid for his outstanding service as Head Coach. Dravid’s tenure was marked by significant achievements; the most noteworthy being crowned champions of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, 2024. Team India also finished as runners-up in the ICC 50-over World Cup, 2023 hosted in India & the ICC World Test Championship in 2023 hosted in England.”

“Apart from the team’s dominance in bilateral series at home, Dravid’s dedication to nurturing young talent and instilling discipline and sportsmanship in the team has been exemplary.”

“The Board also congratulates Mr Paras Mhambrey (Bowling Coach), Mr T. Dilip (Fielding Coach) and Mr Vikram Rathour (Batting Coach) on a highly successful tenure. The BCCI values their contribution and wishes them the best going forward.”

“The BCCI welcomes Gautam Gambhir in his role with Team India. The former Indian opener brings with him a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the game. Known for his exceptional batting prowess and strategic acumen, Gambhir has been a pivotal figure in Indian cricket.”

“His remarkable contributions to the Indian team that include crucial performances in the 2007 ICC World T20 and the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, have cemented his legacy as one of the sport’s greats. Gambhir also led his IPL franchise, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to two title victories in 2012 and 2014. In his role as mentor with KKR in 2024, Gambhir helped the team secure its third IPL title.”

“In his new role as Head Coach of Team India, Gambhir will be responsible for overseeing the development and performance of the Indian cricket team. His focus will be on developing a culture of excellence, discipline, and teamwork, while also nurturing young talent and preparing the team for future challenges on the global stage,” the official press release from BCCI stated.

Suryakumar Yadav during a practice session ahead of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 match between India and Bangladesh at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune, on October 17, 2023.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Ahead of the 17th match of the ODI World Cup 2023 between India and Bangladesh at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Thursday, Indian bowling coach Paras Mhambrey showered praise on Suryakumar Yadav and said that he is a match winner and champion.

While speaking at the pre-match press conference, Mhambrey said that the 33-year-old Indian batsman is difficult to bowl since he is a 360 player.

“Surya is a champion; he is a match-winner and he’s shown you. The last innings that he played, the way he toils – he is a 360 player that we have been talking about. He is a difficult batsman to bowl, especially – anywhere,” Mhambrey said.

When Mhambrey was asked whether Suryakumar was ready to get his maiden World Cup game, the Indian bowling coach said that it’s difficult to miss someone like him in the team.

“I think if you look at the fine leg area, you need to get it covered, third man area gets covered, you bring covers up, you start playing out there. So, he is a 360 player, a difficult batsman to bowl to. And yes, it’s a difficult decision, I said. It’s like Ashwin or Shami, Surya is a quality player. It’s difficult to miss someone like him in the team or get him. But you need to create an opportunity, a place for him to play,” the Indian bowling coach added.

Mhambrey further added that if the opportunity arises, Suryakumar Yadav will get his game.

“The question then asked is, who do you replace him with? So that’s always a challenge. People always say he should be playing. I think he should be playing. But the question sometimes is, in whose place? I think that’s a challenge. So, you don’t have a slot for him right now. But we all know what he brings to the table. He is a match-winner for you and I am sure he will get an opportunity. If the opportunity arises, he will get his game,” he added.

Ahead of India’s clash against Bangladesh, Mhambrey praised Shakib Al Hasan and said that he has done well for Bangladesh and added that he’s a quality bowler.

“See, when you play as a batsman, sometime or somewhere or the other, you will be against someone. If you look at match-ups, there’ll be some match-ups saying that he’s weak against this, but he’s good against that player, bowler especially. But honestly, I don’t think any conversation that we have out here, we know he is a good player. He has done well for Bangladesh, he is a champion player, he is handy, he bats for the team, he bowls well, he bowls in the power play, he’s a quality bowler and I think you got to give that to him,” he added.

When asked, whether Shakib Al Hasan will create problems for the Indian batsmen, he replied that Men in Blue’s main focus is to execute the team’s plan during the match.

“But for us really it doesn’t really matter. I think for us is that day what we do in terms of our preparation, our execution and we have a game plan. So, I honestly believe and that’s what when I voice the – it’s from the team’s point of view as well. I think if you execute your plans to the max, you’re going to do well. And I think that’s all that we’re focusing on. The execution of our plans and that’s it, nothing else,” he added.

Rohit Sharma-led India is coming into this game after defeating Pakistan by seven wickets after the Indian skipper’s scintillating 86-run knock from 63 balls.

The Men in Blue are still unbeaten in the ongoing extravaganza tournament and will be looking forward to continuing their unbeaten streak in the forthcoming game against Bangladesh.

The match between India and Bangladesh will kick off at 2:00 PM IST on Thursday.