Murali Kartik recalls Gambhir's gesture after handing maiden cap to Mayank Yadav

India vs Bangladesh: Former India spinner and broadcaster, Murali Kartik, said he was touched when Gautam Gambhir invited him to the team huddle and gave him the opportunity to hand debutant Mayank Yadav his maiden India cap on Sunday, October 6.

In Short

• Mayank Yadav made his India debut in Gwalior on Sunday
• Mayank, 22, bowled a maiden in his first match for India at the highest level
• Murali Kartik was invited to hand Mayank his maiden T20I cap during the team huddle

Former India spinner Murali Kartik said he was touched when Gautam Gambhir wanted him to join the team huddle in Gwalior and present Mayank Yadav his maiden India cap ahead of the T20I series opener against Bangladesh. India named two debutants in their line-up for the first T20I, which was played at the newly unveiled Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium on Sunday, October 6.

Murali Kartik wished Mayank Yadav the best as he addressed the huddle with a lot of enthusiasm. Kartik took to social media on Monday and said the memorable ceremony reminded him of his India debut, adding legendary Sachin Tendulkar and Kapil Dev handed him his maiden India cap.

IND vs BAN, 1st T20I: HIGHLIGHTS FROM GWALIOR

"What a memorable day for this Speed Merchant #MayankYadav ..it took me back 25 yrs when i received my cap from Sachin& Kapil paaji... A touching moment for me personally to be asked to present the cap by @GautamGambhir a wonderful gesture (sic)," Kartik, who was in Gwalior for broadcast duty, said in his post.

Former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel handed over another debutant, Nitish Kumar Reddy, his India cap. Parthiv also took the opportunity to address the huddle and wish the SunRisers Hyderabad all-rounder his best.

Mayank Yadav, 22, played only four matches in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season and they were enough for him to impress the selectors. The West Delhi pacer was fast-tracked into the India national team after he recovered from a back injury that troubled him in the IPL season. Mayank, known for bowling 150 kph thunderbolts, impressed in his debut on Sunday.

Mayank's first over in international cricket was a maiden and he went on to pick up his first wicket in the second over. The young pacer finished his spell with figures of 1 for 21.

India dominated the first T20I, winning by 7 wickets. Led by Hardik Pandya's all-round show, India chased down a 128-run target in just 11.5 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Nitish Kumar Reddy also shone with a composed 16 not out in the first T20I in Gwalior.