The Indian Premier League match between Lucknow Super Giants and Pujab Kings on Saturday saw a new hero arise, as debutant pacer Mayank Yadav outfoxed PBKS batters with his pace and precision. Mayank emerged as the player for the match for his side, picking up three wickets as Lucknow secured a 21-run win over Punjab. With his figures of 3/27, Mayank kept PBKS batters’ scoring rate under check, picking the wickets of Jonny Bairstow, Prabhsimran Singh and Jitesh Sharma.
The 21-year-old speedster consistently bowled deliveries over the 150 kmph mark. One of those deliveries clocked 155.8 kmph, setting the record for the quickest ball to be bowled this season.
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by Mayank Yadav
Relishing the raw and exciting pace of the debutant who now has wickets to his name #PBKS require 71 from 36 delivers
Watch the match LIVE on @JioCinema and @StarSportsIndia #TATAIPL |… pic.twitter.com/rELovBTYMz
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 30, 2024
Following the game, Mayank said in the post-match presentation, “I have always heard from others that there is nervousness in debuts but that goes away after the first ball. My plan was to not be under too much pressure, to bowl at the stumps and to use the pace as much as possible. There was the thought of mixing up the pace initially but the wicket helped and the skipper told me to bowl quick. The debut wicket was the favourite. Coming off the injury last season was tough, I would set my goal to debut at a young age but injuries were a setback.”
— The Game Changer (@TheGame_26) March 31, 2024
Mayank has played two first-class matches, 17 List-A games and 11 T20 matches. He represents Delhi at the domestic level, having made his List-A debut in 2021 and his first-class debut in 2022. He was chosen as the ‘Player of the Match’ for his spell of 3/27, getting wickets of Jonny Bairstow, Prabhsimran Singh and Jitesh Sharma.
