Zaheer Khan Optimistic Mayank Yadav's Pace Will Pick Up With Increased IPL Games

Zaheer Khan, the Lucknow Super Giants' mentor and erstwhile India pacer, was optimistic about express pacer Mayank Yadav's bowling pace picking up with increased opportunities to play in the IPL. Mayank returned to action after an extended injury layoff that had impacted his back and toe. Having been rested since his India debut in October, Yadav returned to action on Sunday in an IPL game against Mumbai Indians, taking two wickets from his four overs, bowling at a pace of about 140kmph, a bit less than the previous 150-155kmph that he achieved before his injury.

Zaheer Khan, after the match where LSG got defeated by 54 runs against MI, said in a speech to the press that Yadav's performance was great and assured that his speed of bowling will increase as he plays more and more matches. Zaheer pointed out that it is a tough task for players to play cricket again after a long pause, particularly the fast bowlers who have to perform at their best. He said that the biggest thing was that Mayank had been able to remain on the field and bowl his full quota of four overs during the match. Zaheer showed hope that with additional match practice, Yadav's execution and pace would pick up.

Zaheer also mentioned the cautious way LSG handled bringing Mayank back into the game so that they didn't push him to rush through the recovery. He admitted that fast bowling is the most physically demanding part of the game, especially in T20 cricket where batsmen are attacking right from the beginning. Zaheer further said that LSG wanted to provide a comfortable setup for Mayank so that he could settle down and slowly get into his rhythm again. He is convinced that since Mayank has overcome the significant obstacle of having played a full game, he will go on to develop well in the future, considering the intervals within the IPL calendar that would provide him with a chance to rest and perform again.

The Lucknow Super Giants coaching staff, including Zaheer, has been continuously communicating with the National Cricket Academy (NCA) regarding Mayank's recovery while recovering from the injury. Zaheer stated that there has been regular interaction with the trainers and physios, so that Mayank goes through a properly laid-out plan to return to his best. The emphasis has been on giving him a healthy environment to work in and allowing him to build his confidence level and concentrate on bowling without worrying about setbacks.

Zaheer also spared some time to discuss the overall strategy of the team, especially the place of their foreign batters Nicholas Pooran, Mitchell Marsh, and Aiden Markram. He stated that the team has overdepended on the top three batsmen in the order, which has been a major reason for their success this season. Zaheer further stated that the team would like to continue with this template as it has worked well. He explained that freedom of expression and a brave attitude have been at the forefront of their tactic. The players have been nudged to feel free to express themselves and also take calculated gambles, something that has proved vital for the performance of the team in the tournament.

On his part, Naman Dhir of Mumbai Indians, who recorded a brisk knock of 25 runs off 11 balls during the same game, opined about the victory of his side. Dhir attributed their winning five-match sequence to their success in checking all the right boxes and winning tight moments during matches. He added that the team's concentration on winning every moment and being consistent has been a major contributor to their recent performance, and they will continue to do so as the tournament continues.

Finally, Zaheer Khan's faith in Mayank Yadav's potential is evident, and he feels that with proper support and ongoing playing time, Yadav will be back to his best form. The Lucknow Super Giants have been careful but thoughtful in handling Mayank's comeback, providing him with the space and time required to heal and play at his best. As the season goes on, Zaheer hopes that Yadav's pace and overall performance will keep improving, helping the team succeed in the IPL.