Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra wants Mayank Yadav to make his T20I debut in the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh. Yadav earned his maiden call-up from Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel after impressing one and all in the IPL.
Yadav had impressed with his express pace in IPL 2024 but an abdomen injury had cut short his season. The fast bowler from Delhi picked seven wickets in four matches for Lucknow Super Giants at an average of 12.14 and an economy rate of 6.99 and also picked two Player of the Match awards.
According to new IPL rules, uncapped players can be retained for four crores before the IPL auction.
“It’s a big question. There are three contenders who not only we but even the franchises will have their eyes on because Mayank Yadav can be retained for four crores if he doesn’t become a capped Indian. Similarly, KKR can retain Harshit Rana and the SunRisers Hyderabad can retain Nitish Kumar Reddy for four crores if they don’t become capped Indians,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel while answering if Yadav should make his debut.
“Either you are a fast bowler or a medium pacer. It’s either or. You have fast-tracked him. You have said that his first-class performances don’t matter to you, or how much cricket he has played doesn’t matter to you. So if you have picked him, play him. You don’t pick a sword to keep it in a sheath,” the former India opener added.
The renowned commentator wants India to field all of their three seamers – Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Mayank Yadav.
“Ideally, he should be playing. For him to play, I see three fast bowlers playing because in the pecking order, it’s Arshdeep, Harshit Rana and Mayank Yadav. I see Mayank Yadav playing, all three fast bowlers. Unleash some pace and see how it happens,” he elaborated.
Chopra made a plea to Indian selectors and team management to back Mayank Yadav to the hilt so that shines at the top level.
“However, I have just a small caveat. It’s for the Indian selectors and the management. If you are fast-tracking him and you have made up your mind that he is an excellent player and will go along with you for a long time, I request with folded hands that you should show faith in him for slightly longer,” he said.
Chopra mentioned how gun pacer Umran Malik veered off the track after not getting consistent chances in the team.
“Something similar was done with Umran Malik as well. He was picked very quickly, and then you lost confidence in him very quickly as well. You said you weren’t liking him and wanted to move somewhere else. Don’t do that. That’s my only request. If you are playing him, give him a slightly longer rope,” Chopra observed.
India will take on Bangladesh in Gwalior on Sunday.
