NEW DELHI: Lucknow Super Giants clinched their maiden victory of the
IPL 2024
season, courtesy of a scintillating debut performance by
Mayank Yadav
in a thrilling encounter at their home ground in Lucknow. Yadav's fiery spell rattled the Punjab Kings' batting lineup, earning him accolades as the
fastest bowler
of the season thus far.
"Plan was to not be under too much pressure and to bowl at the stumps and use the pace as much as possible," Yadav remarked after his remarkable debut.
"There was the thought to mix up the pace initially but the wicket helped and the skipper told me to bowl gas."
Yadav's introduction to the IPL stage was nothing short of electrifying. With nerves of steel, he broke the opposition's opening partnership, claiming the prized wicket of
Jonny Bairstow
and finishing with impressive figures of 3-27.
"I've always heard from others there's nervousness in debuts but that goes away after the first ball," Yadav reflected on his nerves. "The debut wicket was the favourite. Coming off the injury last season was tough, I'd set my goal to debut at a young age but injuries were a setback."
His express pace, clocking the fastest delivery of the season at an astonishing 155.8 km/h, left the Punjab Kings reeling, despite a valiant effort from their skipper
Shikhar Dhawan
, who scored a gritty 70 off 50 balls.
So, who is this explosive pacer, who turns out to be the 'story of the match' in Lucknow?
Mayank Yadav, the 21-year-old tearaway pacer from Delhi, got his chance in IPL after a series of setbacks, including missing the previous season due to a torn hamstring injury. Despite his limited experience in professional cricket, Yadav's talent was evident as he made a memorable mark on his IPL debut.
Before his IPL debut, Yadav had represented Delhi in domestic cricket, showcasing his potential as a fast bowler with a tally of 51 wickets across formats. His rapid ascent in the IPL is a testament to his dedication and skill, positioning him as a promising prospect for the future of Indian cricket.
With Mayank Yadav's explosive debut paving the way, Lucknow Super Giants have set the stage for an exhilarating season ahead, leaving fans eagerly anticipating their next match.
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