Mayank Yadav picked 3/36 vs WI in Ranchi [Source: AP]Mayank Yadav seemed to be returning to his menacing best on Friday night in Ranchi, as the West Indies were at the receiving end of one of his best spells in recent times. The bowler picked 3/36 in his 3 overs, clocking about 145 kph more often than he did recently.Head coach Gautam Gambhir sang praises about the 24-year-old after the match and spoke on what worked for him on Friday after recent struggles with rhythm.Gambhir opens up on Mayank Yadav's fiery spell vs WIYadav was fast-tracked to the Indian team in 2024 after he burst onto the scene during IPL 2024, exhibiting control despite his fierce pace. However, the bowler had a couple of injury-riddled years, but rejoined the team immediately after his return to full fitness.The pacer went wicketless in IPL 2026, playing 4 matches and going for 11.37 runs per over. He took time to find his best form again, but the outing against West Indies in the second T20I showed positive signs, as he returned with the second-best spell of his short T20I career. Gambhir heaped praise on Yadav for sticking to his plans and bowling as fast as he could after India let the visitors chase 250 on the night.ALSO READWatch- Mayank Yadav's 149.5 Km/h Delivery Shatters Rovman Powell's Stumps"He is a fast bowler, and he should bowl like a fast bowler. He is not a slow bowler. If you can bowl 150 [kph], bowl 150. If you can bowl 120, then bowl 120. So when you are playing as a fast bowler, it is your duty to bowl fast like a fast bowler. That is what he did today, and that is why he was successful," the India head coach said in the press conference.Mayank Yadav central to India's T20I futureAs things stand, Mayank Yadav is being predominantly used as a T20 specialist in his short career. Considering his injury record and the load that his body takes in bowling at pace, it is likely to remain the case in the foreseeable future.Furthermore, now that the T20 World Cup and the Asian Games are over, Jasprit Bumrah's focus will shift completely to Tests and ODIs, with the World Cup year beckoning. Hence, it is likely that Mayank Yadav features heavily in T20Is.As an x-factor pacer, how Mayank fares in the lead-up to the 2028 T20 World Cup and LA Olympic Games in the same year would be instrumental to India's T20I plans.ALSO READZimbabwe T20I And ODI Squads Announced vs Afghanistan, Bangladesh In UAE
