The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently announced a second-string squad for the upcoming Zimbabwe tour, rewarding several standout performers from IPL 2024. However, one name missing from the list that raised several eyebrows was young fast bowler Mayank Yadav.
Mayank’s unforgettable IPL
Mayank, representing the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in his limited opportunities, left a lasting impression with his raw pace. In just four matches, he scalped seven wickets at a phenomenal average of 12.14 and an economy rate of 6.98. He single-handedly won LSG a couple of matches earlier in the campaign, taking two three-fers un his first two games. Despite battling injuries that restricted him to a handful of games, Mayank’s ability to consistently hit the 150 kmph mark, combined with decent control over line and length, won over fans, experts, and even fellow cricketers.
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The 22-year-old’s short IPL stint left many wondering why he wasn’t included in the Zimbabwe-bound squad. There are a couple of possible explanations. The selectors might be looking for more consistency from Mayank, wanting him to prove he can stay injury-free for a longer period, perhaps a full IPL season or two.
Potential Test player in making?
Another possibility is that the selectors have earmarked Mayank for red-ball cricket, considering his raw pace could be a valuable asset in Test matches. There were earlier reports as well stating that BCCI might be looking the pace merchant as a potential prospect for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series later in the year.
Only time will tell what the BCCI’s plans are for Mayank Yadav. While his absence from the Zimbabwe squad is a surprise, his impressive IPL showing has undoubtedly put him on the national radar. With proper injury management and continued development, he could soon be a force to be reckoned with in Indian colors.
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