Mayank Yadav, the 21-year-old pacer from Delhi, set the stage on fire on his debut in IPL 2024 for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) against Punjab Kings (PBKS) on March 30 in Lucknow.
Mayank recorded the fastest ball in this IPL 2024 thus far, as he clocked 155.8 kph in his second over. He managed 3/27 in his 4 overs and his dismissals were of key batters, as he removed Jonny Bairstow (42), Prabhsimran Singh (19), and Jitesh Sharma (6). Yadav also reached 150 kph consistently during his spell, which he had started with a 147 kph delivery.
Thanks to his brilliant bowling, LSG defeated PBKS by 21 runs, as they successfully defended 199/8 and kept PBKS to 178/5 in 20 overs.
In the post-match presentation, Mayank Yadav revealed that speed thrills and excites him. He said that since childhood, he has been a fan of jet planes, the awe-inspiring force of rockets, and the raw power of superbikes captured his imagination.
"Even in normal life, apart from cricket, I love things that have speed with them. Whether it is a rocket, airplane, or superbike, speed excites me. In my childhood, I liked jet planes and would get inspiration from them.
I have never bowled 156kmph before this. I clicked 155kmph during Mushtaq Ali, but this is my fastest ball," said Mayank at the post-match press conference.
Mayank had only appeared in two List A games before being selected by LSG for the 2022 IPL season. He did not play a single match in the first season and was ruled out of the following season due to a torn hamstring.
After recovering from his injury, he competed for North Zone in the 50-over Deodhar Trophy, knocking off Rahul Tripathi's middle stump with a ripper.
“Injuries are part of fast bowlers’ life, they are your friends. I had two-three major injuries in the past one or one and a half years. Those were my setbacks. Last season also, I missed playing in the IPL because of injury. I had a side strain injury with a rib fracture and that happened after Vijay Hazare. My effort is to give more attention to recovery and myself, in training and physically,” Yadav said.
He also revealed that he idolizes South African great Dale Steyn.
“I look up to only one fast bowler, and that is Dale Steyn. He is my idol and I idolise him a lot,” Yadav said.
He said he did not feel any pressure or nervousness during his debut match.
"A lot of excitement was there in my debut. For the last two years, I have been visualizing just one thing that, that is when I make my debut what will I feel when I bowl my first ball. Everybody said there would be some pressure or nervousness but I did not feel it at all. When my captain told me to bowl the first over, I felt inside me that I belonged to this place and there was a lot of confidence,” Mayank added.
Highlighting his goals, Mayank said, “My aim is to always remain consistent and give away less runs to help the team. Pace is a plus point for me which I try to use in a good way.”
(PTI inputs)
