You must have heard the famous slogan of IPL: where talent meets opportunity. Perhaps for the first time in the IPL 2024 season, this phrase came to life when a 21-year-old Delhi-born right-arm pacer named Mayank Yadav came into the limelight. The talented pacer had so much pace in his bowling that it was almost impossible for the LSG team management led by Justin Langer to deny him a chance.
At first glance, Mayank Yadav appeared to be just another bowler rising through the ranks of India’s domestic circuit, but when he got down to business, everyone was stunned. Be it the Hindi, English, Bengali or Haryanvi commentators, the crowd inside the Ekana Stadium or the people watching at home, everyone was baffled as to how such a skinny bowler generates such pace.
It wasn’t just about pace, if it had been, Umran Malik would have become the ICC’s number one bowler. It was the length of the line coupled with ferocious pace that made Mayank Yadav a major topic of discussion. If anyone listened to the Star Sports Hindi commentary box, people like Irfan Pathan, Mohammad Kaif and Sanjay Manjrekar among others had only one thing to say.
They are extremely proud of the way this young man has bowled and their hearts fill with immense pride after watching it. But did his debut performance make him likely for India’s World T20 team? Mayank’s Ranji Trophy coach Devang Gandhi shared his thoughts.
Devang Gandhi feels Mayank Yadav is on Indian selectors’ radar
It is normal that a bowler like Mayank Yadav, after a performance like that, is touted as probable for the Indian team. With the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 starting just 7 days after the conclusion of the IPL, the chief selectors are keeping an eye on every match and every development.
That said, Mayank Yadav’s coach in Delhi’s Ranji Trophy team, Devang Gandhi, feels the youngster is already on the radar of top selectors. After watching him closely in the nets and during his only first-class match in 2022, Gandhi stated that Mayank needs to deliver such performances consistently.
“Only time will tell, but if he continues to bowl well and shows good performances, then I am sure he will be on the radar of the Indian selectors. If he continues to perform like he did against Punjab Kings, then that possibility cannot be ruled out.” – Devang Gandhi told Sports Now after LSG defeated Punjab Kings last night.
Mayank Yadav creates his own album
With his winning performance against Punjab Kings in front of the home fans, Mayank Yadav created his own record. Posting figures of 3/27 in the 4 overs with an economy rate of 6.75, the New Delhi-based pacer was adjudged man of the match in his IPL debut.
It is a rare feat to achieve and also something that has probably never been done before. Yadav will be in action next against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on April 2 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.