'Why is he always retained?': Ashwin fires back at Mayank Yadav's critics

Mayank Yadav's return to international cricket could hardly have gone better, and former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes the young fast bowler deserves patience after overcoming a difficult spell with injuries. Playing his first international match since October 2024, Mayank announced his comeback in style during the opening T20I against Zimbabwe in Harare. The speedster was named Player of the Match after producing a match-winning spell that began with a wicket off the very first ball of the contest. Mayank removed Brian Bennett for a duck with a hard-length delivery that straightened after pitching, forcing an outside edge that was safely taken behind the stumps. He continued to test Zimbabwe's batters with his pace and discipline, dismissing Dion Myers during the powerplay to leave the hosts under immediate pressure. His spell laid the platform for India's commanding bowling display.