Mayank Yadav targets 2027 World Cup in rebuilt 150kph fitness drive

India fast bowler Mayank Yadav has shifted his training base to Chandigarh as he undertakes an intensive rehabilitation and workload-building programme under Gujarat Titans head physio Gaurav Sharma, with his sights firmly fixed on the 2027 ODI World Cup.

The tearaway pacer, who first burst into prominence during IPL 2024 with express pace exceeding 150 km/h, has suffered an unfortunate series of injuries over the past two years, ranging from lumbar stress fractures and hamstring issues to freak accidents. Recently, footage of Yadav training alongside India's Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill in Mohali surfaced online, highlighting his renewed push to regain full fitness and form.

Step-by-step workload management

According to Sharma, Yadav reached out after IPL 2026 and began a structured rehabilitation process in Chandigarh ahead of recent tours. The physio confirmed that Yadav is currently injury-free and bowling at full throttle while managing volume.

"At this moment, Mayank is doing really well. He had a back injury. He underwent surgery for the same, and the body takes time. At present, he has no injury. I am just taking care of him so that he does not pick up any injury going forward," Sharma explained. "The second thing is that we are working on his workload management. We are increasing the load slowly and steadily, and he is working on it very well."

During daily sessions, Yadav is reportedly bowling 10 overs across three and a half hours, split into spells of five, three, and two overs. Across roughly 60 deliveries per day, his average speed sits comfortably in the high 140s while consistently breaching the 150 km/h threshold once again.

Longer-format ambitions

Coaches and support staff have set long-term objectives for the 23-year-old speedster to ensure he can handle the physical rigours of multi-day and 50-over cricket. Devender Sharma, who coached Mayank during his formative years, noted that the long-term goal remains key international tournaments.

"They want him to be ready for longer formats as well. He is bowling close to 12-15 overs per day for the last six months or so," Devender stated, emphasizing that Yadav has been told to prepare for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

For Yadav, who previously featured for East Delhi Riders in the Delhi Premier League, the focus is now squarely on building durability and maintaining velocity as he aims to make a lasting return to international cricket.