Preparations for the historic five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy are progressing with India and Australia limbering up on contrasting paths.
While Rohit Sharma’s side is currently taking on New Zealand in a three-match Test series at home, frontline Australia players have begun their 2024-25 summer season with red-ball practice in the domestic Sheffield Shield competition.
India are currently fretting over their pace stocks, with senior pacer Mohammad Shami’s year-long rehabilitation for a knee injury unlikely to be completed before Team India takes the flight to Australia. While Shami recently confirmed that he is pain-free and likely to feature at some point in the series Down Under, former Aussie pacer Brett Lee has suggested a back-up option for India to explore.
Lee has suggested India to rope in young pace sensation Mayank Yadav as a replacement and back-up for India’s first five-match Test series in Australia since 1990. Coming off a five-month injury layoff since setting the IPL ablaze with his fiery pace, Mayank made his T20I debut for India last month against Bangladesh.
The first of many more! ⚡️
📽️ WATCH Mayank Yadav’s maiden international wicket 😎
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— BCCI (@BCCI) October 6, 2024
The speedster was fast-tracked straightaway upon his recovery from the stress fractures he suffered with the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL. The 22-year-old Delhi pacer has since been kept close with the Indian Test squad as a travelling reserve for the New Zealand series. Though Mayank has only featured in a single First-Class game in his career, Mayank is in the radar to make India’s extended entourage for Australia.
No one wants to face 150kph
Speaking to Fox Cricket, Lee said that the India team management’s uniqueness in fast-tracking certain players stands out.
“The great thing is with me that I get to work on the IPL and see a lot of good young Indian cricketers. Mayank Yadav, to watch his first IPL game recently, to hit a 157 kmph first up in his first game. Unfortunately, his franchise probably brought him a little early and he did his side again,” Lee told Fox Cricket.
Mayank Yadav made his) T20I debut against Bangladesh in Gwalior. (BCCI
“The great thing about India is that they are not worried about how much cricket someone has played or hasn’t played, if he is ready to go, get him in there. I actually love that theory. I can tell you that batters are okay when you bowl that 135-140 kmph speed, but when you bowl high 150s, I don’t care who it is, no one wants to face that. He looks like someone who is complete package, if Mohammed Shami is not ready, atleast get him in the squad. I think he would do pretty well on these Australian wickets,” Lee remarked.
Shami, the key
Lee, however, also said that India will need Shami fit and raring to go to stand a chance to clinch the series for a third successive time in Australia.
“Ashwin is approaching 600 wickets, he has got that beautiful shape when he bowls spin. He can bowl with the new ball as well but I think if India have to win there, then Shami can definitely hold the key. Jasprit Bumrah, we all know how good he is, he can bowl both ways, he is a great exponent of reverse swing. Mohammed Siraj knows how to make the new ball talk.
“On wickets like Perth, Adelaide, for me it’s the combination, these three fast bowlers with Ashwin as the spinner. Then they have got options with guys like who are part-time spinners. But you need to have those three quicks firing if India wants to win,” Lee added.
