India fast bowler Mayank Yadav last represented the national team in the 3rd T20I against Bangladesh at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on October 12, 2024. The fast bowler took two wickets for 32 runs in four overs, helping India register a spectacular 133-run victory and win the series 3-0.
After being away from international cricket for years due to injury, Mayank Yadav has now been recalled to the India squad for the upcoming T20 series against Zimbabwe, giving the fast bowler another chance to establish himself at the highest level.
When did Mayank Yadav last play for India?
Mayank Yadav’s most recent appearance for India came in the 3rd T20I against Bangladesh in Hyderabad on October 12, 2024.
Bowling with his trademark express pace, Mayank took 2 for 32 in his four-over spell. India produced a brilliant all-round performance to clean sweep the three-match T20 series by defeating Bangladesh by 133 runs.
That match is also his latest international appearance. In his first three T20Is for India, all against Bangladesh during the same series, Mayank took 4 wickets at an average of 20.75 and an economy rate of 6.91. His best T20I figures are 2/32, while he bowled 12 overs, conceded 83 runs and maintained a strike rate of 18 balls per wicket.
Although his international career got off to a promising start, recurring fitness problems kept him away from the Indian team before his latest comeback.
Why did Mayank Yadav return to Team India?
Mayank returns to India’s T20I squad as the team management continues to manage the workload of several frontline fast bowlers, while also building depth ahead of future ICC events.
The selectors have once again endorsed Mayank Yadav’s ability despite injury problems by rotating and resting senior fast bowlers during bilateral tours. His blistering pace remains the biggest reason for India to continue investing in him, as genuine fast bowlers capable of exceeding 150 kmph consistently remain a rare asset.
His inclusion also reflects the long-term planning of the selectors. Rather than relying solely on established names, India have continued to give chances to young fast bowlers capable of making an impact in T20 cricket.
Whether Mayank Yadav will be included in the final eleven or not will depend on the team combination, pitch condition and fitness. However, his return to the team suggests he remains firmly in India’s plans, with the management keen to see him regain momentum and build on the encouraging start he made during his debut series against Bangladesh.
Mayank Yadav’s IPL journey: Team, salary and career record
Mayank Yadav’s rise in the IPL came with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), who signed the Delhi pacer for ₹20 lakh ahead of the 2022 season. He did not feature during his first season and subsequently missed the 2023 campaign due to a hamstring injury.
He finally made his IPL debut in 2024 against Punjab Kings and announced himself with figures of 3/27, consistently troubling batsmen with speeds above 150 kmph. He followed this up with another excellent spell of 3/14 against Royal Challengers Bangalore, during which he bowled the ball at a speed of 156.7 kmph, which was the fastest ball of IPL 2024. Those performances made him the first player in IPL history to win the Player of the Match award in each of his first two IPL appearances.
Ahead of the IPL 2025 season, Lucknow Super Giants showed immense faith in the young fast bowler by retaining him for ₹11 crore, a huge jump from his initial ₹20 lakh contract. LSG retained him again at the same salary for the 2026 season.
In his IPL career so far, Mayank has played 10 matches and taken 9 wickets, with his best performance being 3/14. Seven of those wickets came during his successful 2024 campaign, while injuries limited him to just two matches in 2025. He featured in four IPL matches in 2026, but did not get any wickets as he continued to work his way back into full form.
Including his ₹11 crore retentions in his 2022, 2023 and 2024 contracts as well as 2025 and 2026, Mayank Yadav’s cumulative IPL earnings have reached ₹22.60 crore. Despite his injury setbacks, Lucknow Supergiants have continued to support the express pacer, underscoring their confidence in his long-term potential.
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