Mayank Yadav might be just three matches old in IPL 2024. But he has already managed to turn heads. In fact, he is already competing for a spot in India’s T20 World Cup squad. His sheer pace and consistency have already impressed selectors even before he could make his IPL debut. While the express pacer from Lucknow Super Giants is currently injured, the selectors are keeping a close tab on his recovery.
“Mayank is definitely an excellent talent. We have been keeping a close tab on him for a few months now,” a senior BCCI official told InsideSport.
Mayank Yadav for T20 World Cup?
With Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh top contenders to partner Jasprit Bumrah, Mayank Yadav may not be fast-tracked into India Playing XI for T20 World Cup.
However, that does not rule the 21-year-old out of the tournament. The selectors are keen to have him in the squad even as a net bowler for him to grow. The BCCI logistics team has already begun processing his visa.
“And even if he does not make it to the squad, we hope to have him with the team in the USA,” the BCCI official said.
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Injury setback
However, the injury creates a roadblock for the youngster. Mayank complained of soreness in his lower abdominal area. And as a precaution, he only bowled an over in the LSG vs GT clash.
But he was not what fans were used to watching. While Mayank made a name for himself for clocking 156.7 kmph, his speed dipped to 135 kmph in the LSG vs GT clash. He will miss the LSG vs DC clash and likely Lucknow Super Giants’s next game as well.
“He felt a little bit of tightness at the top of his hip leading into the last game, but that was about a one-out-of-ten pain, and we thought that there were clinical signs. Everything through the doctors and the physios seemed perfectly okay. He bowled that first over [against Titans] and started feeling something in his hip,” LSG head coach Justin Langer said.
Fast bowling contract soon
But injuries are part and parcel of a player’s life. And for fast bowlers, it’s almost regular. That would not deter BCCI from giving him access to the National Cricket Academy facilities. Mayank Yadav is likely to get into the fast bowling contract BCCI has introduced recently.
Before making his IPL debut, Mayank Yadav impressed chief selector Ajit Agarkar with his pace. And as BCCI aims to ready the next generation of pacers, Mayank is all set to get into the contract soon.
The young pacers will get access to all the facilities the NCA has to offer apart from Rs 1 Cr or Grade C remuneration.
Akash Deep, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Umran Malik, Yash Dayal and Vidwath Kaverappa are current Fast 5 in the contract.
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