'I had to go through many phases': Mayank Yadav talks about the time he was injured

Raw pace has got him attention but Mayank Yav knows that it is consistency that will assure him of a stey run in Indian cricket after overcoming several fitness-related "ups and downs" to make an eagerly-anticipated international debut.

21-year-old Delhi speedster, who h bowled 10 fastest deliveries (all above 150 s) in IPL this year, unsettled Banglesh batters with his speed in opening T20 International here on Sunday.

His figures of 1/21 in four overs with 14 dot balls in his maiden international appearance dispelled all doubts about his fitness status.

"I was excited, but to be honest, I was a little more nervous because I was making a comeback almost three-four months after my injury. I hn't h many opportunities to play competitive cricket, and n suddenly got chance to make my international debut. So, I was a bit nervous," Mayank told Jio Cinema after his debut.

Having shot to instant stardom for Lucknow Super Giants with consecutive player of match awards during IPL , his exciting start was cut short by an abdominal strain which forced him to undergo a lengthy rehabilitation programme at National Cricket Acemy (NCA).

While pace will always be his calling card, Mayank understands that at international level, a consistent line and length will help him enjoy success for a longer period.

"My pace is always at back of my mind, but throughout my IPL journey, I've learned that consistency is key in this format, especially at international level.

"Line and length are crucial, and being consistent really helps as batters starts to respect you. So, recently, I've been focusing more on being consistent with my line and length," Delhiite said.

youngster also opened about psychological challenges of recovering from his injury and how it me him more nervous before his debut game.

" time during my injury was really difficult because I h to go through many phases in last four months, witnessing ups and downs.

"For people working with me, I felt y also faced difficulties. So, phase between IPL and my debut was a bit tough," he revealed.

While during IPL , he focussed on extreme pace by consistently hitting back of length, T20I here unveiled a different facet of his bowling -- using slower deliveries to good effect.

"During IPL season, I didn't use slower balls much because y weren't really required. I used to talk with my captain (LSG skipper KL Rahul ), and he would ask me to focus on my stock deliveries.

"If wicket was helping me, I wouldn't try too many variations. So, I relied on my stock balls and didn't use slower ones as much. But today, wicket was slow, with little bounce and keeping low, so I realised that a change of pace might help," he explained.

Mayank also shared Team India he coach Gautam Gambhir 's vice to him. he said former opener didn't him me to do anything differently.

"His vice was just to focus on my strengths and abilities, and to do what I do best, things that have worked successfully for me in past.

"He told me to stick to those and not put pressure on myself by over-thinking that I am now playing international cricket." He was all praise for skipper Suryakumar Yav , who comforted him before he marked his run-up.

"He (Suryakumar) gives you freedom. When I was taking run-up, he was telling me 'do what you feel is best'. So that's very important for any fast bowler, specially when you making your debut," Mayank told BCCI.TV