Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) pacer Mayank Yadav made his Indian Premier League (IPL) debut with a bang, troubling batters with his fiery pace, consistently hitting the 150 kmph mark and delivering a game-changing spell to lead his team to victory. 21-run win over Punjab Kings (PBKS) at Ekana Stadium on Sunday. His debut has earned him high praise from some of the best bowlers to ever play the game, including pace greats such as Australia’s Brett Lee and South Africa’s Dale Steyn. Ahead of Saturday’s IPL match, Mayank has played two first-class matches, 17 List-A matches 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. As noted by the broadcasters, here are the bowling speeds per delivery (in kmph) of Mayank’s incredible spell of 3 /27 in 10 overs, dismissing Jonny Bairstow, Prabhsimran Singh and Jitesh Sharma to turn the tide in Lucknow’s favor after a century-long partnership between Bairstow and skipper Shikhar Dhawan in a 200-run chase. He took home the ‘Player of the Match’ award.
1st over:147, 146, 150, 141, 149, 147 (in km/h)
2nd about:156, 150, 142, 144 (wicket), 153, 149
3rd above:152, 150, 147 (wicket), 146, 144, 143
4th left:153, 154, 149, 142 (wicket), 152, 148
During his 24-ball stint, Mayank crossed the 150 kmph mark nine times. His first ball of the second over, measured at 155.8 to be precise, is among the fastest deliveries in IPL history and is the fastest of the IPL 2024. The fastest delivery in IPL history was bowled by the Australian Shaun Tait, who reached the limit of 157.7 km/h. for the Rajasthan Royals against the Delhi Capitals in 2011.
Here’s a look at his fastest delivery:
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by Mayank Yadav
Enjoying the raw and exciting pace of the debutant who now has wickets to his name #PBKS requires 71 of 36 deliveries
Watch the match LIVE @JioCinema And @StarSportsIndia#TATAIPL |… pic.twitter.com/rELovBTYMz
– IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 30, 2024
After the match, many cricket legends took to social media to appreciate Mayank’s spell.
“India just found their fastest bowler. Mayank Yadav! Raw pace Very impressive @IPL @JioCinema @BCCI,” Lee tweeted.
India has just found its fastest bowler.
Mayank Yadav!
Raw pace
Very impressive @IPL @JioCinema @BCCI– @BrettLee_58 (@BrettLee_58) March 30, 2024
South African pace great Dale Steyn also expressed his amazement at Mayank’s pace, tweeting: “155.8 KPH Mayank Yadav where have you been hiding!.”
155.8 km/h
Mayank Yadav where have you been hiding!
– Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) March 30, 2024
Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan also said that Mayank has serious pace and wrote, “Mayank Yadav has serious pace. Good find from @LucknowIPL.”
Mayank Yadav has serious pace. Good find @LucknowIPL
-Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) March 30, 2024
Legendary Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh wrote on his X handle: “Mayank Yadav what a talent (speed 156)… Great to see him bowling and I would love to see him play for Team India more and more and soon#Mayankyadav.”
Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen also wrote: “Mayank Yadav bowls 155 km per hour!!!!!
@irbishi will do it To be happy! A fast fast fast fast fast bowler!!!!!.”
Former New Zealand batsman John Wright praised Mayank for bowling “absolute wheels”.
“Kid reaches 100 bowling without loss. Bowls Absolute Wheels costs three wickets and goes for just six per over for his assignment. Wow, Mayank Yadav takes a bow. What an entrance @LucknowIPL #LSGvsPBKS #ipl2024,” John tweeted.
Former Australian cricket Tom Moody also said Mayank looks like the “real deal”.
“Mayank Yadav looks the real deal, serious pace with strong action. All at the tender age of 21.#LSGvPBKS,” Tom tweeted.
LSG opted to bat first after winning the toss. Quinton de Kock (54 in 38 balls, with five fours and two sixes), skipper Nicholas Pooran (42 in 21 balls, with three fours and three sixes) and Krunal Pandya (43* in 22 balls, with four boundaries and two sixes) helped LSG reach 199/8 in 20 overs. There was a 47-run partnership between Kock and Pooran for the fourth wicket that helped LSG establish themselves after some quick wickets.
Sam Curran (28/3) and Arshdeep Singh (3/30) were the pick of the bowlers for PBKS. Rahul Chahar and Kagiso Rabada took a wicket each.
In the chase, skipper Shikhar Dhawan (70 in 50 balls, with seven fours and three sixes) and Jonny Bairstow (42 in 29 balls, with three fours and three sixes) kicked things off with an opening partnership of 102 runs.
But Mayank’s fiery spell derailed PBKS’ efforts, reducing them to 141/4 in 16.2 overs. Liam Livingstone (28* in 17 balls, with two fours and two sixes) tried to battle it out, but PBKS were restricted to 178/5 in their 20 overs.
Mohsin Khan also picked up two wickets for 34 runs.
LSG are fifth in the points table with two points, having won one match and lost one. PBKS are in sixth place, with one win and two losses, giving them two points.
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