Three years ago, many had quietly filed Shivam Mavi under “what could have been.” Plagued by recurring injuries and technical flaws in his bowling action, the once-promising fast bowler vanished from IPL auctions and national radar alike. But in a quiet revolution happening on domestic pitches across India, Shivam Mavi is roaring back—not just fit, but faster, smarter, and hungrier than ever. At 27, he’s not seeking a second chance. He’s demanding it. “140+ all day,” he declares with a quiet confidence that borders on defiance. And after a season of relentless performances for Uttar Pradesh across all formats, the cricket world is finally listening.
Table of Contents
- The Injury-Plagued Wilderness Years
- How Shivam Mavi Rebuilt His Body and Action
- Dominating Domestic Cricket: The Proof Is in the Numbers
- Will IPL Franchises Take the Risk in 2026?
- Why Speed Alone Isn’t Enough—And Why Mavi Might Have It All
- Fantasy Cricket Alert: The Sleeper Fast-Bowling Pick?
- Conclusion: Redemption at 140 kmph
- Sources
The Injury-Plagued Wilderness Years
Shivam Mavi’s descent was as rapid as his early rise. After making waves with Gujarat Lions and later Kolkata Knight Riders—where his raw pace and slingy action drew comparisons to a young Jasprit Bumrah—his career hit a wall. Side-flexion issues in his bowling action triggered a cascade of back and hip injuries. By 2022, he was undergoing multiple rehab stints, missing entire domestic seasons, and eventually dropped from IPL squads entirely. “I lost count of how many MRIs I did,” Mavi recently admitted in an exclusive interview. For a bowler whose identity was built on aggression and velocity, being grounded was a psychological as much as physical toll.
How Shivam Mavi Rebuilt His Body and Action
Mavi’s comeback wasn’t accidental—it was engineered. Working with a biomechanics specialist in Bengaluru and a strength coach from the National Cricket Academy (NCA), he completely overhauled his action. The excessive side bend was reduced, his front-leg alignment corrected, and his core stability rebuilt from the ground up. “It wasn’t about losing pace—it was about bowling smarter,” he explains. The result? Not just injury resilience, but improved efficiency. His run-up is now shorter, his delivery more repeatable, and crucially, his body can handle workload again. According to internal BCCI fitness reports cited by PTI, Mavi now clears all YO-YO and strength benchmarks with room to spare—a stark contrast to his fragile past.
Dominating Domestic Cricket: The Proof Is in the Numbers
Talk is cheap. Bowling is truth. And in the 2024–25 domestic season, Shivam Mavi has backed every word with wickets:
- Ranji Trophy: 28 wickets at 19.32, economy 2.78
- Vijay Hazare Trophy: 15 wickets at 21.40, SR 24.6
- Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: 12 wickets at 18.91, econ 7.85
Most impressively, speed guns across venues consistently registered him between 140–144 kmph—even in the final overs of T20 games. This isn’t burst pace; it’s sustained heat. For Uttar Pradesh, he’s been the strike bowler across formats, often opening the attack and returning for death overs. His ability to swing the new ball and nail yorkers with the old one shows a maturity his younger self lacked. As one UP coach put it, “He’s not just fast—he’s clever now.”
Will IPL Franchises Take the Risk in 2026?
IPL teams love speed—but they hate injury risk. Mavi’s case is a classic high-reward, perceived high-risk proposition. However, with franchises like Lucknow Super Giants and Punjab Kings actively hunting Indian pace depth, his local Uttar Pradesh connection could be a decisive factor. Scouts have been monitoring him all season, and sources within two franchises confirm he’s on their “high-potential comeback” shortlist. If he maintains this form through early 2026, a base price of ₹50–70 lakh is likely—with a bidding war possible if a team believes his body is truly fixed. For insights on auction strategy, see our guide on IPL 2026 Auction Sleepers to Watch.
Why Speed Alone Isn’t Enough—And Why Mavi Might Have It All
Fast bowlers are dime a dozen. What separates the elite? Control. Variations. Game sense. Here’s where Mavi’s evolution shines. He’s added a sharp slower ball, mastered the knuckle-ball yorker, and can now hit consistent lines—no longer just “spray and pray.” His economy in T20s has dropped by 1.9 runs per over compared to his 2019 IPL stint. According to data from ESPNcricinfo, his dot-ball percentage in death overs (17–20) is now 42%, among the best for Indian pacers this domestic season. That’s not just fitness—it’s cricketing intelligence.
Fantasy Cricket Alert: The Sleeper Fast-Bowling Pick?
If Mavi secures an IPL contract, he could be the ultimate differential pick in fantasy leagues. Low ownership (due to past stigma) combined with high wicket-taking upside makes him a classic “high ceiling, low floor” asset. His role as a likely powerplay and death bowler in T20s maximizes point-scoring opportunities—especially on seamer-friendly pitches like Chepauk or Eden Gardens. Savvy managers are already tracking his domestic performances as a leading indicator.
Conclusion: Redemption at 140 kmph
Shivam Mavi’s story isn’t just about comeback—it’s about reinvention. He didn’t just heal his body; he refined his craft, matured his mindset, and returned with a pace that’s not just fast, but sustainable. In an era where Indian cricket craves genuine pace bowlers who can perform across formats, Mavi’s resurgence couldn’t be more timely. The IPL auction stage awaits. And this time, he won’t just be hoping for a contract—he’ll be ready to own it. “140+ all day” isn’t a boast. It’s a promise.
Sources
- Times of India: ‘140+ all day’: Faster and fitter Shivam Mavi ready for IPL return | Exclusive
- ESPNcricinfo Domestic Stats: Uttar Pradesh 2024–25 Season Records
- BCCI Fitness & Biomechanics Reports (via PTI, Nov 2025)
- Interview excerpts with Uttar Pradesh coaching staff