'I had planned against Gill... KL said it was my day': Yash Thakur reveals how Mayank Yadav’s injury led to his maiden IPL fifer

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) pace sensation Mayank Yadav was not at his best against Gujarat Titans (GT). He conceded 13 runs in his first over in the powerplay overs and then went off the field due to a side strain. In Mayank’s absence, Yash Thakur rose to the occasion and helped the hosts tighten the screws. He was rewarded for his persistence and picked up his maiden five-wicket haul in the Indian Premier League (IPL). 
 

Mayank started with GT skipper Shubman Gill’s wicket. He bowled a full-length cross-seam delivery which missed the bat and crashed into the stumps. After the 33-run win, he revealed that he had a plan against Gill. 
 

“Happy with this five-wicket haul and Man of the Match award. I had planned against Gill, I stuck to my plan, KL Rahul had advised me to do so and it paid off,” Thakur said in the post-match presentation. 

Mayank’s injury, opportunity for Thakur

Thakur also revealed that LSG captain KL Rahul told him it was his day after Mayank left the field. He was happy as LSG registered their first win over GT. 
 

“Unfortunately Mayank Yadav got injured, so KL said it was my day and asked me to make the most of it. We are winning the first game against GT in IPL history, very happy with it. Really enjoyed Gill's wicket, the most memorable of all,” the 25-year-old concluded. 
 

Thakur became the second LSG bowler to take a fifer in the IPL. In the previous season, Mark Wood bagged five wickets for 14 runs against Delhi Capitals (DC). Thakur conceded 30 runs from 3.5 overs. It is also the first five-wicket haul of the season. The previous best figures of the season belonged to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman. 
 

Gill explains how he was outfoxed by Thakur

On the other hand, Gill explained why he played across the line and threw his wicket away and a good start for GT. 
 

“I thought it was the last over of the powerplay and I just wanted to make the most of it, just that I missed that ball as I tried to play a bit too square,” he told the broadcasters.
 

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