Mayank Yadav has taken the world by storm. The 21-year-old has already become one of the fastest bowlers India has ever produced and has broken multiple records after bowling just 48 deliveries in the IPL 2024. After smashing the 155 kmph speed barrier and the stumps, many have called for the speedster to be included in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad.
MSK Prasad calls Mayank Yadav a ‘rare commodity’
Former Indian chief selector, MSK Prasad, has backed the express pacer for the T20 World Cup as well. While talking with the Times of India, Prasad praised the fast bowler’s accuracy, pace, and intelligence. He said:
“Genuine fast bowlers are a rare commodity. If you see Javagal Srinath or all the other great fast bowlers, they never spent so much time in domestic cricket. If you feel that a bowler has got pace, accuracy, and game intelligence, then why not pick him straightaway? He’s got a good change of pace also. With Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj as certainties, just imagine what firepower the inclusion of Mayank will add to India’s pace attack!”
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Mayank should be treated like Bumrah: MSK Prasad
Citing how Jasprit Bumrah was fast-tracked to the India cricket team following his domestic T20 exploits, Prasad wants Mayank to get the same treatment. He said:
“We’ve seen other young pacers who’ve bowled very fast in the past, but they lack game intelligence and can be wayward. They can be groomed over time, but Mayank already looks like a seasoned bowler. When we saw Bumrah (Jasprit) in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy many years back, we picked him straightaway for India and he never looked back. I’m sensing something similar with Mayank.”