Returning to international cricket after a lengthy spell on the sidelines, Mayank struck with the very first ball of the match and finished with impressive figures of 2-18. Along with fellow Delhi pacer Prince Yadav (2-19), he laid the foundation for India\u2019s clinical victory before teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashed a record-breaking 18-ball half-century to guide the visitors to a comfortable chase of 126 and a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Reflecting on the difficult period away from the game, Mayank admitted that the lay-off tested him mentally. \"It was very difficult, especially this two-year gap was very challenging for me as a person because the main thing is age wasn\u2019t on my side at that time. I was only 22 or 23 years old,\" Mayank told reporters after the match.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"So that thing always affected me that at such a young age, I\u2019m having to see so much. At the same time, the motivation to play for the country exists from childhood for every player. So that motivation was there for me that I should return to play for the country and perform the way I did,\" he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Mayank made an immediate impact by dismissing Brian Bennett off the opening ball after Ishan Kishan completed a successful review behind the stumps. He later removed Dion Myers with another lively delivery as Zimbabwe slipped to 32\/4 before recovering to post 125\/7 through Wessly Madhevere\u2019s 39 and Tadiwanashe Marumani\u2019s unbeaten 27.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Mayank also praised Iyer\u2019s leadership, saying the India skipper gave his bowlers complete freedom to execute their plans.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"I didn\u2019t speak much to him before the match. But when he was captaining, I felt that he showed a lot of confidence in the bowlers and I felt very good that whatever I wanted to bowl, he backed that,\" Mayank said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Mayank also praised Iyer\u2019s leadership, saying the India skipper gave his bowlers complete freedom to execute their plans.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India will look to seal the three-match series when the two sides meet in the second T20I on Saturday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n