Mayank Yadav, the 22-year-old fast bowler, rose through the ranks during the IPL 2025 while bowling for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). He bowled at blistering pace and consistently hit speeds of over 150 Kmph.
The most important thing was that he kept a consistent line and length with that pace and troubled the best of the batters. However, his appearances was cut short due to an injury which ruled him out of the rest of the IPL.
He was suffering through a side strain and recently started bowling full tilt at the NCA. Mayank has now been picked up in the three-match T20 series against Bangladesh at home and it comes as a welcome move for the young fast bowler.
“I was not taking enough protein” – Mayank Yadav
Speaking in an interview with TOI, he talked about his side strain and how his doctor told that his side strain wasn’t normal with cricketers but happens to athletes who play high intensity sport. The NCA suggested that he was not taking enough protein to build his muscles. Mayank acknowledged that he had to take supplements because he is a strict vegetarian.
“When I was with LSG, I went to Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala (one who treated Rishabh Pant and looks after India’s Olympians). He told me my side strain was not a regular one. It happens to athletes in high-intensity sports like javelin or there must have been a major impact with an object. ” Mayank Yadav told TOI.
“When I went to NCA after IPL, it was found that I was not taking enough protein. Since I am a strict vegetarian, I had to be given supplements. I had other niggles when I was about to get fit. It was agonizing, but people at NCA, like Troy Cooley and my trainer Rajnikanth, were helpful. I can tell you that I understand my body now,” he explained.
He also spoke about how he was having niggles when he was trying to get fit and it was painful for him. However, he thanked the NCA staff for having a look at him and he feels that he understands his body better now. Meanwhile, the T20I series between India and Bangladesh starts on 6th October 2024.
