Speed is a thrill for India’s newest fast bowling sensation Mayank Yadav, a passion he has nurtured since childhood, with the sleek lines of jet planes, the awesome power of rockets and the raw power of superbikes capturing his imagination. The 21-year-old’s 150 kmph thunderbolts stunned everyone during his side Lucknow Super Giants’ 21-run win over Punjab Kings on Saturday. Mayank (3/27) stole the limelight with his blistering pace. In the 12th over of Punjab’s innings, he bowled the fastest ball of the season at 155.8 km per hour. His extra pace stirred Jonny Bairstow, Prabhsimran Singh and Jitesh Sharma and led to PBKS’s demise. During his four-over spell, he consistently clocked 150 kmph and above on the speedometer, which led to him being named player of the match.
“Even in normal life, apart from cricket, I like things that involve speed. Be it a rocket, airplane or superbike, speed excites me. In my childhood, I loved jet planes and drew inspiration from them” , he said. Mayank at the post-match press conference.
“I have never bowled 156 kmph before. I have bowled 155 kmph during Mushtaq Ali but this is my fastest ball,” added the pacer from New Delhi’s Punjabi Bagh.
Mayank had played just two List A matches before being picked by LSG ahead of IPL 2022. He did not play a single match in the first season and was ruled out of the next season with a torn hamstring.
After recovering from the injury, he played for North Zone in the 50-over Deodhar Trophy where he knocked out Rahul Tripathi’s middle stump with a ripper.
“Injuries are part of fast bowlers’ lives, they are your friends. I have had two to three serious injuries in the last year and a half. Those were my setbacks.
“Last season I also missed playing in the IPL due to an injury. I had a side injury with a rib fracture and that happened after Vizay Hazare. My effort is to pay more attention to recovery and myself, both in training and physically.” It is natural that Mayank would take inspiration from a speed merchant: South African great Dale Steyn.
“I only look up to one fast bowler and that is Dale Steyn. He is my idol and I adore him very much.” About his game plan on Saturday, he said: “JL (head coach Justin Langer) or even Morne Morkel (bowling coach) haven’t said anything special about what I need to work on. They know that, along with the speed of my hard ball is good.
“They just told me to keep the plan simple, use pace and bowl as many hard-length balls as possible, as well as balls that could be finished off stumps.” He said he didn’t feel any pressure or nervousness during his debut match.
“There was a lot of excitement on my debut. For the past two years I have only visualized one thing: when I make my debut, what will I feel when I bowl my first ball. Everyone said there would be some pressure or nervousness , but I didn’t feel it at all.
“When my captain told me I had to bowl the first over, I felt inside that I belonged to this place and there was a lot of confidence.” Highlighting his goals, Mayank said, “My aim is to always remain consistent and give away fewer runs to help the team. For me, pace is an asset that I try to use in a good way.” When asked how he came into limelight, he said, “Two years ago, before the IPL mega auction, I was with Delhi team for Vijay Hazare against UP side, our assistant coach Vijay Dahiya sir saw me there .
“That’s where he showed interest in me, he asked me for videos of my bowling before the IPL auction. From there he picked me, I think.” PTI IBS IBS APA APA
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