Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) speedster Mayank Yadav made the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batters dance to his tune in a display of sensational fast-bowling at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Tuesday (April 2).
Featuring in his second IPL match, the right-arm quick consistently bowled at the speed exceeding 150 kmph. In his second over, he also clocked 156.7 kmph to register the fastest ball of the season.
Mayank's searing pace saw the back of Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell and Cameron Green. He returned with the incredible bowling figures of 3/14 in four overs and earned his second successive Player-of-the-Match award.
Impressed with his exploits, former India batter Manoj Tiwary has advocated for the selection of Mayank Yadav in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad.
“If I was in Ajit Agarkar’s position I would put him in. Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami and then him. Looking at Mayank’s form, action and release it looks like he is in control and it feels like if you give him a bigger stage, he will deliver. With IPL where many overseas players do come in and get them out, your confidence will also go up,” Tiwary said while speaking on Cricbuzz.
Indian batting great Virender Sehwag also shared similar views and pointed out a key difference between the LSG pacer and SRH’s Umran Malik, who also caught everyone’s attention for his sheer pace a couple of seasons ago.
After his brilliance in the IPL 2024 season, Umran went on to make his India debut but he was not able to seal his place in the team.
“The difference between Mayank and Umran is that his lines are accurate. Umran was also quick but he wasn’t able to improve on his line and length. Mayank’s lines and lengths are accurate. He is well aware that he has the speed but if I get my lines wrong then I could concede boundaries. Just for that alone I feel that he should play international cricket after IPL if he remains fit,” Sehwag said on Cricbuzz.
On his IPL debut, Mayank Yadav ripped through the Punjab Kings (PBKS) batting line-up and finished with the figures of 3/27 in four overs. He has claimed six wickets in two matches this season so far and occupies the second spot in the race for the Purple Cap.
Mayank and LSG will be next seen in action against the Gujarat Titans in Lucknow on April 7.
