Mayank Yadav fell short of making the cut for the upcoming Duleep Trophy, but this week will go on to be a crucial one for the young fast bowler.

Currently going through match simulations at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, Mayank will be given the fitness and clearance certificate “in the next four to five days” if he goes through his paces.

Still under consideration for the tour of Australia later in the year, the 22-year-old, however, will have to concentrate on the shorter formats first before proving his mettle in the Ranji Trophy. If Mayank gets the fitness certificate towards the end of this week, there’s an outside chance of his inclusion in India’s T20Is against the Bangladesh team beginning on October 6.

“If Mayank does well in these match simulations, he will be released from the NCA in the next four to five days,” a BCCI official told The Telegraph on Monday.

“Now, whether he will be able to play in the second round of the Duleep Trophy is tough to say at present. Since last year’s Deodhar Trophy (in July-August) till the end of the IPL this year, he played in very few matches. So, he first needs to get the much-needed game time and then prove himself in Ranji, which is paramount to his prospects of a Test call-up.”

According to Delhi’s Sonnet Club coach Devendra Sharma, who mentors Mayank, the youngster is feeling “a lot fitter” now. “Mayank has been bowling 10 overs daily.

“He says he has been improving a lot when it comes to the problems he used to have in his body. He’s doing rehab under Rajinikanth Sivaganam (a strength-and-conditioning coach at the NCA) and is feeling a lot fitter.

“The information I have is that he’ll first be played in the T20 format, which means there’s a possibility of his inclusion for the Bangladesh T20Is. Having said that, the preparation he’s being made to undergo is keeping the Australia tour in mind. All of us have seen the kind of pace he can generate, which is a huge asset.

“Even (NCA chief) VVS Laxman meets him weekly and checks his progress,” Sharma said.

With just four appearances in his maiden IPL season in Lucknow Super Giants colours, Mayank’s last competitive game was back on April 30. Since then, he has had to work on his recovery after being laid low by an abdominal tear.

Mayank’s first-class experience is only about a lone game for Delhi back in December 2022. The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA), however, is also keeping a tab on the young quick’s progress.

“We’ll announce our (Ranji) probables after the Delhi Premier League gets over on September 8. By then, we should be having a clearer picture of his progress and if he’s declared fit, he’ll definitely be a part of our team.

“We’ve also heard that he’s much better now and if he’s perfectly alright, he might get a game at the Duleep Trophy as well.

“That can’t be ruled out altogether,” a senior DDCA official stated.

Diet matters

A bit of tweak in diet has also been prescribed for Mayank at the NCA. But that doesn’t mean he has to take non-vegetarian food to add to his strength and build more muscles, coach Sharma said.

“It’s not that you become a good athlete only after taking non-vegetarian food. Even vegetarian food can give you a lot of strength.

“But yeah, Mayank has been advised greater protein and calcium intake without which, proper fast bowling is not possible,” Sharma added.

“A proper diet chart has been given to him at the NCA,” the coach said.