"He shouldn't compromise pace.." Mayank Yadav's U19 coach Parvinder Awana shares advice for the youngster | Exclusive

Parvinder Awana is currently a level 2 BCCI coach and is conducting camps for the new generation of fast bowlers.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had recently made the squad announcement for the T20I series against Bangladesh, which is scheduled to take place from October 6. One of the surprising yet deserving names in the squad is a young pacer from Delhi, who goes by the name of Mayank Yadav.

Yadav made his name in the previous season of Indian Premier League (IPL). The youngster’s season was cut short after suffering an injury, which kept him out for the majority of the season. In the four games representing Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), the youngster averaged close to just 12, while keeping the economy of just lower than 7.

BCCI was quick to notice his talent and immediately took him under their wings and took care of his entire rehabilitation program at the BCCI Center of Excellence (previously NCA) in Bengaluru. And, after a long period of absence, he returns to cricket and now on a brink of his international debut.

But, Mayank did not emerge in the IPL out of the hat. The youngster came through the U-19 ranks of the Delhi state team and worked with former Indian international cricketer and Kings XI Punjab pacer Parvinder Awana to hone his skills.

The BCCI level 2 coach is currently representing the GMR owned outfit India Capitals in the Legends League Cricket (LLC) and Khel Now Cricket had the privilege of talking with the 38-year-old during the Surat Leg.

On Mayank Yadav

Parvinder Awana, fondly recalled his first encounter with Mayank Yadav when the young fast bowler was part of the Delhi U-19 side in 2019. Speaking about his initial impression of Yadav, Awana highlighted the youngster’s dedication and potential.

“Mayank Yadav. I saw him in 2019, he was in the Delhi U-19 team and I was the bowling coach,” Awana shared, reminiscing about that early period. He described Yadav as a hardworking and disciplined individual. “He is a very hard-working and educated boy. He works on his body,” Awana added, emphasizing Yadav’s commitment to fitness and growth.

However, Awana also offered some advice on balancing fitness with maintaining Yadav’s bowling pace. “He should understand what he needs to do to stay fit, but not compromise for that pace,” he explained. Awana stressed the importance of a holistic approach to fitness, saying, “They need to do more balance exercises and strength and conditioning along with bowling. So he will manage.”

On BCCI’s vision of developing up and coming fast bowlers

Parvinder Awana, the former Delhi fast bowler and now a BCCI Level 2 coach, shared insights into the BCCI’s vision of developing young fast bowlers from the grassroots level. Awana shed lights on the BCCI’s structured approach to nurturing fast-bowling talent across India.

Speaking about the steps taken by the BCCI, Awana explained, “The BCCI has created a group of 8-10 fast bowling coaches who are experienced in fast bowling. They will go to their states, train everyone, and make the coaches knowledgeable.” This initiative is part of the BCCI’s broader effort to ensure that young fast bowlers receive quality coaching and guidance from experienced mentors across different states.

Emphasis on workload balance paramount: Awana

Awana also highlighted the increasing emphasis on workload management, a critical aspect of a fast bowler’s career. “They are giving a lot of importance to workload, which is a commendable thing about the BCCI,” he noted, praising the board’s commitment. 

Having been part of the system since 2021, Awana has seen firsthand how the BCCI ensures a balanced approach. “For a fast bowler, workload is very important.”

Elaborating on this point, Awana emphasized the need for balance in training routines. “You should not do it too much and should not be doing less as well. You get more injuries when you’re doing less,” he explained. 

Awana also noted the tendency for over-training during the season, followed by a complete drop-off during the off-season. “When our season comes, we practice a lot. But when the off-season comes, we leave it completely. We do conditioning and strength training. But we should make a balance between strength and conditioning and improving the skillset.”

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