Despite four stress fractures, fast bowler Shivam Mavi says he won’t compromise on pace

“I have had four stress fractures so far in my back, add one Grade II knee injury and I am still just 25.”

Mavi, who has played six T20Is for India is making a comeback after being sidelined for a year. He last played competitive cricket in August 2023 and missed the entire domestic season for Uttar Pradesh. He took part in Lucknow Super Giants’ pre-season training but had to pull out of the IPL because of a recurring stress fracture.

Earlier this week Mavi played his first match in ages. The bowling figures weren’t outstanding, two overs for 31 runs without a wicket for Kashi Rudras in the Uttar Pradesh T20 League. But the feeling of bowling again in a competitive game was priceless.

“I have started playing after a long time. The recurrence of the injury during the IPL delayed my rehab. It was in the spine, close to the spot where the second stress fracture was. It didn’t heal properly and it recurred when I was at the LSG camp. Now I am fit and feeling good. I am trying to get my rhythm back. Hopefully, I will play the entire domestic season,” Mavi says.

Shivam Mavi during a Ranji Game. (FILE Photo)

On what has kept him going after so many injuries, the fast bowler cites a line from a poem by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He says, “Mai haar nahi manunga (I will not give up). The only thing I know is to run and bowl. I don’t know anything else. You call it a passion or love. But how can I give up at 25? I have that hunger that I can represent India in all three formats. That’s the ultimate motivation. Girunga, uthunga and fir se gir ke uthunga (I will fall, get up, and will keep getting up, every time I will fall),” Mavi says.

Mavi-Nagarkoti dream

Mavi burst onto the scene during the 2018 Under-19 World Cup, where he along with Kamlesh Nagarkoti impressed everyone with their raw pace. The unanimous opinion among experts was that Mavi and Nagarkoti needed to be fast-tracked. Mavi did play six T20Is in 2023, but Nagarkoti has not played competitive cricket for almost two years. Earlier this month, the duo spent a month at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). Like the number of injuries, Mavi can also count the number of times he has travelled to the NCA in Bengaluru.

“We were talking about Shubman (Gill), Arsh (Arshdeep Singh), Abhishek (Sharma) and Riyan (Parag), playing for India and it makes us happy. Seeing them doing well inspires you,” Mavi says, talking about his Under-19 teammates.

When at the NCA, Mavi and Nagarkoti spoke about a common dream — bowling together for India.

“We have promised this to each other. Kamlesh is doing much better. He has not played cricket for so long. He is not negative anymore. He will play the domestic this season. He is eager to do well. The hunger is back,” Mavi says.

Kamlesh Nagarkoti bowling in U-19 World Cup. (FILE photo)

Struggle to find rhythm

Mavi says the rehab apart, the most frustrating part is not being able to find the rhythm straightaway.

“Rehab is repetitive. But after so many injuries, I have made peace with it. The thing that irritates me most is not being able to get the rhythm back. The moment you step on the field, you feel that I will be my old self. But to hit that length, where you want to bowl, it comes only after playing a few competitive matches. That ‘I am good to go feeling’ comes when you start to hit the length where you want to bowl. Once that happens then you feel ‘Oh now I am getting closer’,” he says.

Nailing his run up has also been a challenge for Mavi on return from injury.

“After injury, another crucial thing is your run-up. I find it very difficult when making a comeback. It also depends upon the extent of the injury.”

Staying optimistic

Mavi says he is more optimistic now than he ever was. He claims that he now understands his body more and he will be smarter with his approach to stay injury-free.

“I won’t push my body. After so many injuries now I have finally understood my body. Right now my aim is to get more overs under my belt,” he says.

Mavi stands 5 feet 8 inches tall, which by no means is an ideal height for a fast bowler, who clocks 140kph consistently. Despite breaking down so many times, the speedster says he doesn’t want to compromise on the pace.

“Pace gave me the recognition. If you are bowling below 140 kilometres per hour, it becomes easier for the batsmen. I have tried to stick to that pace. To hit 140 after an injury is difficult till you find that rhythm.”

Another reason for Mavi’s optimism is that he has found two key people who have lent an ear in Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami. Both of them have suffered career-threatening injuries.

“I have spoken to Jassi bhai and Shami bhai. Just to seek their opinion. After talking to them one thing I have learnt is I can’t control the injuries. As both of them said, ‘You can’t control the injuries. Fast bowling is not an easy job, not everyone can bowl fast.’”