While Lucknow Super Giants’ top bowlers struggled to make an impact against Punjab Kings during the 11th match of the Indian Premier League 2024 (IPL 2024), debutant Mayank Yadav managed to steal all the attention with his bowling.
The young runner has impressed many with his great pace. Mayank Yadav, a relatively unknown name in cricket circles, seems destined to become a household name sooner rather than later. With players like David Willey and Mark Wood withdrawing from the tournament, LSG’s attacking pace is already exhausted and they decided to give Mayank Yadav a debut for their first home game of the season.
Just before the start of the season, LSG head coach Justin Langer surprised many by comparing Mayank Yadav to Mark Wood, one of the fastest bowlers in the world.
“We also have Shamar Joseph, we have Mayank, who bowls with very good pace. I hope we can replace, no [Wood’s] experience, but his rhythm with Shamar Joseph and Mayank,” Langer had said.
Well, not many would doubt Langer now after Mayank Yadav’s ferocious delivery on his debut. The right-arm pacer was introduced into the attack in the 10th over after LSG failed to take any wickets and it didn’t take long to impress.
He consistently surpassed 145 km/h in his first over and also reached the 150 km/h mark. In his second over, he dismissed a well-positioned Jonny Bairstow to give PBKS a much-needed breakthrough and bowled three deliveries at over 150 kmph. He also touched the 156 kmph mark during the over.
Second finished:
156150142144153149
😳🥵
– Lucknow Supergiants (@LucknowIPL) March 30, 2024
goes 🔥
. / by Mayank Yadav 🥵
Enjoying the raw and exciting pace of the debutant who now has 2️⃣ wickets to his name 🫡#PBKS requires 71 off 36 deliveries
Watch the match LIVE on @JioCinema and @StarSportsIndia 💻📱#TATAIPL |… pic.twitter.com/rELovBTYMz
– IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 30, 2024
Who is Mayank Yadav?
Mayank Yadav has now become the talk of the town after his grand entry in the IPL and we are taking a look at some lesser-known details about his life.
Right-arm pacer Mayank Yadav was born on June 17, 2002 and is currently playing for Delhi in the domestic circuit. He made his professional debut for Delhi through List A cricket in 2021. In October 2022, he made his T20 debut for Delhi before playing his first first-class match in December. He got his first IPL contract even before playing a professional T20 for Delhi. He was bought by LSG at his base price of Rs 20 lakh in the mega auction of 2022. Mayank Yadav warmed the bench during IPL 2022 before an injury ruined his hopes of debuting in IPL 2023. He first came to prominence thanks to his performance in the 2023 Deodhar Trophy. Playing for the Northern Zone, he finished the tournament as the second highest wicket-taker, with 12 wickets at an average of less than 18. He has a good white-ball record. In 17 List A games, Mayank took 34 wickets and 12 wickets in 10 T20s.