Mayank Yadav can get back to bowling at that high pace, says Aakash Chopra

India faced West Indies in the 2nd T20I at Ranchi on October 9, 2026. India batted first and posted 249 for 5 wickets. West Indies successfully chased the target, reaching 252 for 4 in 19.2 overs to win by five wickets and level the series at 1-1. Mayank Yadav took the new ball for India and struck twice in the first over, dismissing Shimron Hetmyer for a golden duck and later removing Kamil Pooran.

Aakash Chopra, the former India batter and cricket analyst, assessed Mayank Yadav's performance after the match. Chopra acknowledged the challenges Mayank faced in his return to international cricket following a period away from the team. He noted that Mayank had conceded runs in the previous match and that nervousness is natural when returning to top-flight cricket, particularly on good batting wickets in India after a lay-off.

"In the last match, he went for a few runs. Also, you're obviously nervous when making a comeback. This is top-flight cricket, and you understand that you are playing on good batting wickets in India and coming back after a lay-off," Chopra said to JioStar.

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Mayank's early strikes in the powerplay

Chopra highlighted the significance of Mayank's early breakthroughs in the match. The dismissal of Kamil Pooran provided Mayank with an important start despite conceding a boundary earlier in his spell. The second wicket, that of Shimron Hetmyer, drew particular praise from Chopra for its quality and the role of pace in the dismissal.

"So, getting that wicket early, although he had conceded a boundary before that, dismissing Kamil Pooran was a good start. The next one, to dismiss Shimron Hetmyer, was an absolute peach. It tells you what pace can do, how it can cramp you and how it can slightly embarrass you," Chopra said.

Validation through pace and performance

Mayank's third wicket came in the final over of the powerplay, a phase of the match that typically yields runs for the batting side. The delivery that dismissed the batter was clocked at nearly 150 kilometres per hour. Chopra emphasised that taking a wicket during this high-scoring phase represented significant validation for Mayank following his return from injury.

"And the last one, again, was nearly 150 clicks. It was the final over of the powerplay, which usually goes for runs, so getting another wicket was a huge validation for himself because, after rehab, that thing always stays in the back of your mind: ‘Will I get injured again?' That memory of pain stays with you until it doesn't. “Because you live alone for six to eight months, it's like you're living in a cave. Everyone else is playing, and you're just watching and waiting for your turn. So, what he did in this game, more than the wickets, was the validation that he can get back to bowling at that high pace," Chopra said.

Shai Hope remained unbeaten on 102 off 45 deliveries for West Indies during the successful chase, while Sherfane Rutherford contributed 84 off 37 balls. The West Indies victory levelled the series between the two teams.