Hemang Badani told me that I do have a lot of potential as batter: Mayank Markande

Leg-spinner Mayank Markande burst onto the scene with an impressive showing in the 2018 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Playing for the Mumbai Indians, the talented spinner took 15 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 24.53 and a strike rate of 17.60. In February 2019, Markande made his India debut against Australia in a T20I.

Since then, the Punjab bowler slid into obscurity and played only six matches in three seasons of the IPL (2019, 2021, and 2022). However, this year's IPL turned out to be a memorable affair on the personal front for the youngster. Sunrisers Hyderabad were struggling in this edition's IPL but Markande was their standout bowler, picking up 12 wickets in 10 matches at an economy of 7.89.

In a recent interview, Markande was asked if he had made any changes to his bowling drills. To this, the 25-year-old said that he made no changes to his bowling preparation but got more opportunities this season compared to previous ones.

"I didn’t really make any changes in particular in my bowling. It was just about an opportunity. Earlier, I wasn’t getting the chances but this time I got the opportunity and fortunately, I was able to capitalise on it," Markande said in an interview with CricketNext.

Markande also revealed how Hemang Badani, who is a part of SRH's support staff, saw potential in his batting and asked him to work on it.

"We also had Hemang (Badani) Sir there. He told me that I do have a lot of potential as a batter as well and further asked me to focus more on the skill. I will start working on the batting bit during the off season. I have been told that I possess the batting skills too quite a few times but I don’t really work on them (laughs)."

I get to learn a lot from Yuzvendra Chahal whenever we meet: Mayank Markande

Yuzvenda Chahal has been a reliable leg-spinner for India in white-ball cricket. Markande said that he doesn't have any favourite spinner but he learns from Chahal whenever he gets to catch up with him.

"I don’t have any specific favourite spinner as such but I get to learn a lot from Yuzvendra Chahal whenever we meet. In fact, I was with him in the NCA recently and was bowling with him. We also had discussions about bowling during the IPL as well," Markande concluded.

Markande will be seen in action in the upcoming Deodhar Trophy where he will play for the North Zone side led by Nitish Rana.