Mayank Markande had foxed MS Dhoni with a rasping googly in the 2018 IPL, and the breakout star soon played for India against Australia in February 2019 – then the lights suddenly went out. The IPL teams were largely benching him, India had of course moved on, and Markande, whose art was once hailed by Rashid Khan as “wonderful to watch”, was down in the dumps. This season he is back in a starring role for Sunrisers Hyderabad, with Pakistan’s Rashid Latif comparing him to the Afghani Rashid and proclaiming that he “would be a great bowler in two years”.
Markande was lost in T20 wilderness: three matches in 2019, none in 2020, a new team in Rajasthan Royals and one match in 2021, back to Mumbai, and two matches last year, and was then released by Mumbai Indians.
“It was a bit shocking for me personally. “It was a tough phase for me. I had a great season, played for India and then was sitting on the bench and was waiting for the opportunities. It was a new experience for me. I was trying to learn as much as I could and in my mind, I was ready to do well whenever I get the chance,” the 25-year old Markande had told The Indian Express before the start of this IPL. “I have finished the season on a nice note. I didn’t get many chances as well.”
It’s with Hyderabad that he is slowly returning to the limelight this year. “I am excited as well to play for the new team. I want to start afresh,” said Markande, who has bagged six wickets in three outings for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
The resurgence came with the help of Punjab Ranji captain Mandeep Singh, the coach Aavishkar Salvi and his childhood mentor Munish Bali. In his early years, with India U-19 and IPL games, his googlies always stood out for the inherent fizz. He approaches the crease at an angle almost like an offspinner – even his load-up is in that vein, and it unsurprisingly sets him up nicely for the fizzing googlies. The leg breaks in comparison are slower. He had to overhaul his package to come back.
In these years, red-ball cricket came to Markande’s rescue. Being Punjab’s main spinner also helped as he was playing all the matches, and worked on his variations. Ranji Trophy allowed him to work on his leg break, and it’s still slower than his googlies, but it has a crafty loop and dip about them. In fact, in one of Rajasthan Royals video, asked to pick a variation from Markande that he would like to possess, Rahul Tewatia desires that “slow looping legbreak”. YouTube has videos of him stranding R Ashwin and the likes in domestic cricket with that weapon.
“Ranji Trophy teaches you the value of patience. You get to bowl a lot on different surfaces and the most challenging are the flat ones. Being a spinner, you are bowling 30 overs in a day and it has helped me a lot,” he said.
“In the IPL, when I was sitting out, I used to think about where I am doing wrong, what areas I should work more. This domestic season went well, I had that confidence. I was bowling well, was in a good rhythm and I am raring to go,” Markande said.
Markande is grateful for the help from his mentors.
“I played everything in one year (2018-19) It was a rollercoaster but when I hit that rock bottom, I was still very young. Our domestic captain Mandeep Singh, played a big role. He gave me the same confidence, backed me up, and spoke to me regularly.
“My childhood coach Bali paji’s role was also crucial. He kept motivating me and off the field, we shared a good bond as well. He was the one who made me the leg-spinner; otherwise, I was a fast bowler till U-14. I used to send him my bowling videos, he used to analyse and send me feedback. It became a routine for the past few years,” said Markande.
The 25-year-old also thanked the Punjab’s coach Aavishkar Salvi for instilling game awareness in him during the 2022-23 domestic season.
“Avishar Salvi changed my mindset. He worked on my game. He changed the way I used to look at the game. It was nothing technical, he made some slight adjustment, game awareness and all,” he said.
Munish Bali, who has worked with Mayank since he was 10, says he was never out of form, it was the “lack of opportunities” that derailed his progress.
“He was not getting the opportunities because of team combinations and all. But he was always ready. He bowled well for Mumbai Indians last year as well.
“He is a very positive guy with excellent work ethics. The best thing about him is his mindset, he is a good thinker of the match situation. And spinners evolve and mature when they play. He will have to keep working hard and grab the opportunity when it comes his way,” he said.
He is now being noticed in the cricketing world, beyond India. “Remember that name, Mayank Markande,” Rashid Latif would say on his YouTube channel. “He has pace, he is fast through the air. Ravi Bishnoi is good, but he hasn’t succeeded in giving the ball that loop in the air. This guy is a Rashid Khan-type of the bowler with a different angle. Batters had difficulties reading his googly. We will see him in future as well … I think in two years time, he can be a great bowler.” Time will tell, but his comeback has started with a bang this IPL.
If things continue to go his way, he can perhaps order his cheat-meal, his favourite “Extravaganza” pizza from Dominoes to celebrate.
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