Markande scalped 3 for 23 in his 4 overs for Mumbai Indians.
The much-awaited 11th edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) finally got underway at the iconic Wankhede Stadium on Saturday (April 7). Defending champions Mumbai Indians locked horns against the Chennai Super Kings in the first match of the cash-rich event, with the latter securing a thrilling 1-wicket victory.
Making his IPL debut, the 20-year-old Mayank Markande was the shining star for Mumbai as he scalped 3 wickets for 23 runs in his 4 overs. Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni and Deepak Chahar were the victims of Markande.
Mayank was playing a U-23 game for Punjab on the auction day in January and had no idea that he has been purchased by the Mumbai Indians for the 2018 season of IPL for a price of 20 lakhs. Such is the change in fortune now that he has become the hot topic of discussion on social media.
After being put into bat, Mumbai Indians rode on Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav’s scintillating 78-run stand to overcome the early hiccups. While Kishan scored a fluent 29-ball 40, Suryakumar played a stunning knock of 29-ball 43. All-rounder Krunal Pandya (41 off 22 balls) provided the final flourish to the innings as MI posted a competitive total of 165/4 on the board in their 20 overs.
In reply, CSK never looked in control as they lost their top five for just 75 runs in 12 overs. However, West Indies’ ace all-rounder Dwayne Bravo change the course of the game with his blazing 30-ball 68 as Chennai chased down the target with one ball to spare.
Even though Mumbai lost the game agonizingly, Twitteratis were in awe with the way Markande exhibited his bowling skills in his maiden IPL match in front of the jam-packed Wankhede crowd.
Here are some of the tweets hailing Markande’s super show in his IPL debut match:
I am in love with the way this young lad #MayankMarkande is bowling. It’s a glimpse of a spinner with big heart. Specially when all the spinning giants have found it difficult to bowl. #MIvCSK #VivoIPL2018
— Prragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) April 7, 2018
Didn't know who Mayank Markande is? He'a 20-year-old leg spinner frm Patiala & just got the prize wicket of Dhoni. We'll hear more of him...
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 7, 2018
#MARKANDE has certainly answered the questions on Mumbai Indians spin department with his match winning debut .... another leggie making an impact in this format #MIvCSK #IPL2018
— zaheer khan (@ImZaheer) April 7, 2018
What a debut for the young Mayank Markande. Making of one more potent weapon in India's wrist spin arsenal? Huge task cut out for CSK now #MIvCSK
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) April 7, 2018
Mumbai Indians throw up another outstanding young Indian talent . They had Bumrah and the Pandya brothers before most had heard of them and now Markande. Great for the game. #MIvCSK
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) April 7, 2018
Two young Indian bowlers captured the imagination...first it was Chahar with his swing. And then Markandey with his googles and control. Loved it. #MIvCSK #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 7, 2018
What a brilliant spell ???????? by Mayank Markande young leggie got 3 big wickets in #ipldebut match @TeamRanjiPunjab pic.twitter.com/GN23GjVrlF
— Ajay Ratra (@ajratra) April 7, 2018
Well bowled Mayank Makrande #DreamDebut???? #IPL2018 #Leggiestrom
— Yuzvendra Chahal (@yuzi_chahal) April 7, 2018
This is a seriously wow debut for Mayank Markande. A Bumrah kind of debut? Better at this stage......
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 7, 2018
What a find!! Markande @mipaltan @IPL #mumbaiindians #IPL
— Isa Guha (@isaguha) April 7, 2018