Mayank Yadav took the cricketing world by storm with raw pace in what was only his second Indian Premier League (IPL) appearance in Bengaluru on Tuesday (April 2).
Playing for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Mayank wreaked havoc on the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batting line-up. The right-arm quick didn’t only bowl the fastest ball of the tournament so far, clocking 156.7 kmph in his second over, he returned with the remarkable bowling figures of 3/14 in four overs.
After the game, LSG skipper KL Rahul hailed Mayank’s sizzling spell against the Faf du Plessis-led side. He joked that he rather enjoys the speedster’s bowling from 20 yards behind the stumps rather than facing him with the bat in hand.
"Yeah one ball hit me really hard but so happy to see Mayank bowl the way he has in the last couple of games. Quietly waited for two seasons because of injury but he has been working very hard. He understands bowling 155kph is not easy. It's great seeing him bowl that fast and I am fine enjoying his bowling from behind the stumps," Rahul said at the post-match presentation.
Coming to the match, LSG rode on Quinton de Kock’s 56-ball 81 and Nicholas Pooran’s unbeaten 40 off 21 balls to rack up 181/5 on the board.
In reply, RCB’s innings folded for 153 in 19.4 overs. Mayank Yadav was the chief destroyer as he accounted for the dismissals of Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell and Cameron Green.
"Quinton gave us a really good start and by the time the opposition found the right lengths to bowl we had got ahead of the game. They bowled really well in the back end. So yeah, the chat was to use the wicket. Not to bowl yorkers, and to stay calm and not fall under pressure," Rahul said about the game.
The captain also highlighted the areas they need to improve on. "Powerplay bowling has been a big question for us so we are trying to fix that. If we can get a wicket or two. We went with spin today which is a very obvious matchup against RCB. We'll keep seeing how we can get better as a team," Rahul remarked.
On the other hand, RCB skipper Faf du Plessis lauded LSG’s pace sensation Mayank and his control over length and accuracy.
"Spot on (dropped catches cost us). Two very good players - QDK was on 25-30 and Pooran was on 2 - 60-65 extra runs, mistakes like that can cost you in the IPL. It is the new action you haven't faced before, and if they have pace then you need time to get used to it (about Mayank). But his ability to control length and have accuracy is impressive," Du Plessis said at the post-match presentation.
"I didn't think we were very good with our bowling especially in the powerplay, Maxwell brought it back and there were some pleasing signs in the death overs. You need two guys to bat through and get a partnership which we were not able to do. We need the strong characters in the dressing room to put their hands up," he added.
