Team India handed the T20I caps number 116 and 117 to Nitish Kumar Reddy and Mayank Yadav, both making their well-earned debuts for the national team. While Nitish’s debut was relatively quiet, it was Mayank who attracted all the eyeballs. It is not often for a debutant to perform so well that the entire country beams a smile. However, when Mayank ran in and steamed in those near 150-kmph deliveries, it felt like the entire nation was cheering Mayank on, thanking him for his incredible speed and venom.
Mayank Yadav: Rare Indian ‘fast’ bowler?
While it was a toss-up between Harshit Rana and Mayank Yadav, the management went ahead with Mayank, simply because of his teeraway pace and the extra spice he got. Rarely do we see a rapid pacer bowl at disciplined lines and lengths. But that’s what Mayank a special one. Just like in IPL, Mayank showed that he can consistently bowl at those right areas, without compromising on his vicious pace.
Mayank started his international career with a sumptuous maiden over, becoming only the pacer Indian after Ajit Agarkar and Arshdeep Singh to commence a T20I career with a maiden. Kudos to him, that his zero-run over came during the last over of the powerplay.
In the next over, the dream became a reality when he sent back Bangladesh veteran Mahmudullah. Although he was hit for 15 runs off his third over, what was heartening to see was Mayank using those slower ones. In fact, the slowest he bowled in Gwalior was at 106 kmph, which is remarkably tough as a batter.
Although the Delhite couldn’t breach the 150-kmph mark, he did dished out a 149.9 kmph snorter. All this is absolutely brilliant, considering Mayank is making a return to competitive cricket after a long, long hiatus. Mayank finished his four overs with the figures of 1/21.
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