"He wasn't trying to reach 150-160 kph" - Aakash Chopra lauds Mayank Yadav's spell in IND vs BAN 2024 1st T20I

Aakash Chopra has praised Mayank Yadav for bowling a decent spell in the first T20I between India and Bangladesh in Gwalior on Sunday, October 6. He pointed out that the speedster didn't try to bowl too fast as he had recently recovered from an injury.

Mayank registered figures of 1/21 in four overs as India bowled Bangladesh out for 127 after asking them to bat first. The Men in Blue achieved the target with seven wickets and 8.1 overs to spare to start the three-match series with a win.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra noted that Mayank looked slightly nervous when he started his spell. He praised the Delhi pacer for not trying to bowl at express pace.

"Two players made their debut - Nitish Kumar Reddy and Mayank Yadav. Mayank Yadav bowled his first over as a maiden - Mayank 'Gatimaan' Yadav. He hadn't played cricket for four months. He was coming back after an injury. There were a few butterflies in his stomach. There was a little nervous energy as well," he said (2:15).

"However, he started well and tried to bowl in straight lines. He wasn't trying to reach 150-160 kph because there was a little more focus on the body - 'Let's not push myself because I am coming back after an injury'. However, there is no doubt that this bowler has pace," the former India opener elaborated.

Chopra added that Mayank demonstrated that he has all the qualities to become a potent weapon.

"He bowled at a good pace and showed that he has got the ingredients. You are seeing the ingredients as of now with which an excellent dish can be prepared. However, that will take some time and the Indian team will give him time, that's what I feel," he observed.

Mayank started his spell with a maiden over. He had Mahmudullah caught by Washington Sundar at sweeper cover to scalp his maiden international wicket in his second over.

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"Why did you do this?" - Aakash Chopra on LSG and SRH's thoughts after Mayank Yadav and Nitish Kumar Reddy's debuts

Aakash Chopra noted that Nitish Kumar Reddy also delivered a decent performance. However, he opined that the SunRisers Hyderabad and the Lucknow Super Giants might be questioning why Reddy and Mayank Yadav were handed their debut caps.

"Nitish Kumar Reddy was made to bowl first. He bowled decently and in the right areas. He has also been fast-tracked and he hit a very good shot for a six against spin when he came to bat. Along with that, a thing came to the SunRisers Hyderabad and Lucknow Super Giants' minds - why did you do this?" he said (3:05) in the same video.

The reputed commentator pointed out that the two franchises will no longer be able to retain the duo for four crores apiece as uncapped players.

"You want them to play, of course, but now both these players are not uncapped. They used to be uncapped and could have been retained for four crores apiece, and both teams were going to retain them. Now both will have to be released and the RTM will have to be used for them because they are neither worth 18 crores nor 14 crores, and their names might not come in the first three players," Chopra said.

Chopra reckoned that the Kolkata Knight Riders might be hoping that Harshit Rana is not given his debut in the remaining two T20Is against Bangladesh. He added that the Royal Challengers Bengaluru will also wish that Yash Dayal doesn't get the India cap before October 31 in the upcoming Test series against New Zealand.