Mayank Yadav, the fast bowler for Lucknow Super Giants, had a sensational debut during the 11th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 against Punjab Kings.
A 21-year-old prodigy caught everyone’s eye with an astounding feat in the IPL 2024, clocking a blazing 155.8 kph to deliver the fastest ball of the tournament. This achievement not only thrusts him into the limelight but also places him among the elite, ranking fifth for the quickest delivery ever witnessed in the IPL.
Yadav played a pivotal role in securing a 21-run victory for the Lucknow Super Giants against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Saturday, March 30. His exceptional bowling performance earned him the well-deserved Player of the Match award.
LSG chose Mayank before the IPL 2023 auction at his base price of Rs 20 lakh, but unfortunately, he couldn’t play the entire season due to an injury. However, upon his return, Mayank made a notable impact on the field. LSG’s strategy of keeping Mayank out of the limelight turned out to be a wise decision in the end.
Brett Lee took to X to shower praise on Mayank Yadav, hailing him as India’s newest speed sensation. Brett Lee emphasized Yadav’s raw pace and stellar performance, indicating that India had unearthed a formidable bowling talent.
“India has just found its fastest bowler. Mayank Yadav, Raw pace. Very impressive,” Lee wrote on his X handle.
In pursuit of LSG’s 199/8, PBKS got off to a solid start as Dhawan and Bairstow partnered up to score 102 runs in just under 12 overs. Bairstow’s departure, courtesy of Mayank Yadav after a quick 42 off 29 balls, was a turning point in the match, leading to LSG’s eventual triumph over Punjab.
During the 12th over, a delivery to Dhawan stood out for its incredible speed of 155.8 kilometers per hour, marking the fastest of the season so far. While Shaun Tait holds the league’s overall record at 157.7 kph, this places the bowler second fastest among Indians, trailing only behind the promising talent Umran Malik.
Yadav’s bowling performance was nothing short of impressive, finishing with figures of 3/27. What’s even more noteworthy is that he consistently clocked speeds exceeding 145 kmph in 18 out of the 24 balls he bowled. His crucial dismissals of Prabhsimran Singh and wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma contributed significantly to Lucknow’s first win of the season.
