Young fast bowler Mayank Yadav impressed on his IPL 2024 debut for Lucknow Super Giants as he bowled the fastest delivery of this year's competition. Mayank looked in good rhythm and during the 12th over of the Punjab Kings innings, he produced a 155.8 kmph delivery that left Shikhar Dhawan in a spot of bother. The 21-year-old was bought in the auction in 2022 by LSG for the base price of Rs 20 lakh but was then replaced by Arpit Guleria due to an injury. During his T20 career, he has taken 12 wickets in 10 matches while in his List A career, Mayank has taken 34 wickets in 17 matches.
Mayank represents Delhi in the domestic circuit and although he took two important wickets in the semi-finals of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2023-2024, his team was defeated by Punjab.
The young fast bowler ended up with figures of 3/27 in the match as he claimed the significant wickets of Jonny Bairstow, Prabhsimran Singh and Jitesh Sharma.
"Never thought it would be such a good debut. Was nervous before the match. Tried to stick to my pace and aim at the stumps. Was thinking about using slower ones initially, but stuck to the quick ones. First wicket was special. It's good to debut at such a young age. Had a few goals, but can't help if injuries come in the way," Mayank said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
India unearthed a new fast-bowling star in Mayank Yadav (3/27) who stole the limelight with his searing pace amid the usual flurry of monstrous hits as Lucknow Super Giants humbled Punjab Kings by 21 runs.
Asked to bat first, floater Krunal Pandya's late blitz powered LSG to a competitive 199/8.
Opener Quinton de Kock top-scored for LSG with a 38-ball 54 but it was stand-in skipper Nicholas Pooran's 21-ball 42, which infused life into his team's innings in the middle overs.
On the back of two sixes and four boundaries, Krunal then scored at a strike rate of 200 to finish on a 22-ball 43 and give his side extra cushion.
That total proved to be enough for LSG, who registered their first win of this IPL thanks to Mayank's exploits. Punjab, who ended at 178/5, missed Liam Livingstone's service as he was injured.
(With PTI inputs)