You can’t wrap him up in cotton wool saying he will get injured – Paras Mhambrey on managing Mayank Yadav’s workload

Former Indian bowling coach Paras Mhambrey feels Mayank Yadav should bowl as much as he can to get better at the top level. Yadav had impressed one and all in IPL 2024 while playing for Lucknow Super Giants and had hogged the limelight for his extra pace.

The 22-year-old pacer from Delhi bowled consistently in excess of 145 kmph and breathed down the neck of the opposition batters with his raw pace and also accuracy. Mhambrey reckons it is crucial to manage Yadav’s workload but at the same time, you can’t wrap him up in cotton wool saying he will get injured.

Yadav’s IPL 2024 was cut short after he suffered an abdominal injury and was ruled out of the tournament after picking seven wickets in four matches. 

“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. We can’t overbowl and burn him out but we have to be smart about how much he should bowl. As a fast bowler, he needs to play first-class cricket,” said Mhambrey in an interview with Indian Express.

Mhambrey wants Yadav to play more first-class cricket to get a better understanding of his bowling. The 22-year-old has thus far played a solitary first-class match, in which he picked two wickets.

“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,” Mhambrey said.

Yadav will be determined to keep himself fit and make the most of his talent at the top level.