Young fast bowler Mayank Yadav has been a revelation for Lucknow Super Giants in the ongoing IPL 2024 with the youngster producing a match-winning performance on debut. He took three wickets and impressed everyone with his express pace against Punjab Kings. Mayank followed it up by another match-winning performance against Royal Challengers Bengaluru - a match where he produced the fastest delivery of this year's competition at 156.7 Kmph. While he suffered a side strain during the next match and has not make a comeback till now, his performances were enough to spark a conversation about him potentially finding a place in India's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024.
Former Australia cricketer Tom Moody was all praise for Mayank's bowling but he warned the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel against taking an impulsive decision while deciding the pacer's inclusion in the World Cup squad. He added that the 2026 World Cup seems to be the perfect time to give him a chance.
“I've loved what I saw for a first couple of games, it was quite extraordinary to the point you want to see the replays of that game. But you cannot have a knee-jerk reaction and pick him in the World Cup, when he has only played two games and got injured,” Moody said on ESPNCricinfo.
“You don't really know what he's capable of doing over a long period of time, under pressure and in different roles. Yes, he's an absolute lock for the future, and look after the asset. For me, it's the 2026 World Cup you should be looking at (with him),” he added.
Earlier, former New Zealand pacer Mitchell McClenaghan also had his say regarding the topic.
"If his form continues throughout this tournament, the World Cup starts six days after the IPL, I think it would be crazy not to look at the players who are in form going into that tournament," McClenaghan said.
"He may not have the caps behind him, but if he continues this vein of form and can keep his pace up throughout the whole tournament and keep winning games - he has won two games in a row, his first two games - then you are right in the mix. Long shot but you would not say never," he added.