LSG’s pacer Mayank Yadav garnered a lot of praise from the cricketing world including England’s fast bowler Stuart Broad after his remarkable IPL debut against PBKS.
Lucknow Super Giants’ young fast bowler Mayank Yadav has taken the cricketing world by storm with a stellar performance against the Punjab Kings on March 30th. The 21-year-old’s fiery pace and exceptional control earned him the Player of the Match award and praise from legendary England fast bowler Stuart Broad.
Yadav’s raw speed, consistently clocking over 150 kilometres per hour and peaking at 155.8 kph, posed a serious threat to the Punjab batters. His accuracy, however, was equally impressive, as Broad highlighted. “Obviously, he has natural pace, but his control of line and length was exceptional for a young bowler,” Broad said in a post-match interview with Star Sports.
Broad emphasized the maturity displayed by Yadav. Young fast bowlers often rely solely on pace, but Yadav showcased a well-rounded bowling attack, prioritising accuracy over raw speed. “Sometimes, as a young bowler, you can come in and charge in with the emotion and try and bowl as quickly as possible. But the radar goes. But I thought his control of the lines was fantastic,” added Broad.
Notably, Punjab, who had started strong with a 102-run opening partnership, were restricted to chasing a challenging total after Yadav’s spell. Even top-ranked batters like Jonny Bairstow were one of Mayank’s victims, which established the testament of his ability. “Yes, Jonny Bairstow hit a fantastic shot to the backward point when there was a bit of width. But, other than that, he really didn’t give the batters anything. When you see world-class batters like Jonny Bairstow, who have played all over the world when they are getting rushed, you know there’s something special,” Broad added.
Yadav’s performance not only helped Lucknow win the match but also secured him a Player of the Match award. “I am delighted to see him win Player of the Match. When you see a fast bowler getting the award, it brings a smile to my face,” Broad remarked.
Looking ahead, Broad issued a playful and humorous warning to Australian batter Steve Smith, suggesting the upcoming Test series could see Yadav troubling him with his pace. “You don’t need to get far ahead. But I have already texted Steve Smith. If you are seeing this guy in Australia in the Test series, get used to it,” quipped Broad.
The 21-year-old pacer from LSG will be next seen facing the Royal Challengers Bengaluru on April 2nd.
Last Updated on March 31, 2024
