‘Can’t wrap him in cottonwool’ – Paras Mhambrey asks BCCI to stop protecting young pace bowler

Former Indian star and bowling coach Paras Mhambrey has asked BCCI to stop shielding Mayank Yadav. The right-arm pacer shot to fame during the Indian Premier League 2024 season for Lucknow Super Giants. The Delhi pacer clocked 156.7 to bowl the fastest ball of the tournament before getting injured. 

BCCI President Jay Shah during a chat with the Times of India was asked about the whereabouts of Mayank Yadav. Jay Shah said “I cannot give you any answer on Mayank Yadav as there is no guarantee whether he will be in the team or not. But he is potentially a good fast bowler, and we are looking after him. He is currently at the NCA”

Paras Mhambrey during his conversation with the Indian Express said that the BCCI should let Mayank Yadav play first-class cricket. Mayank Yadav as per reports is still finding his way back as he is recuperating at the National Cricket Academy. 

Paras Mhambrey wants Mayank Yadav to play first-class cricket 

While speaking to the Indian Express, Paras Mhambrey said “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”

Paras Mhambrey asked the board and the team management to be careful in handling the player. The 51-year-old further went on to say, “We can’t over bowl 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”

Stressing the need to play domestic cricket, Paras Mhambrey also said “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,” added the former Indian bowling coach. 

Speaking about the injury concerns for Mayank Yadav, Paras Mhambrey said, “You have to check his background. How much cricket has he played? How much has he bowled? Everything adds up. We need to go in depth about him, what have been his training methods? How many overs he used to bowl, his history of injuries. Going forward, fitness, technical aspects and workload are going to be the parameters for Mayank”

Ending his observations, Mhambrey said to the Indian Express, “He’s only 22. His body is still developing. He is in that injury-prone age-group. His body has not completely developed yet. His injuries can be controlled, if we understand his background well.”