Former Indian Opener Virender Sehwag has backed the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) pacer Mayank Yadav to play for the Indian team after the ongoing season of India Premier League (IPL). Delhi's young pacer has troubled Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batters with his raw pace. He clocked up to 156.7 km/h and helped LSG defeat RCB by 28 runs at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. This is LSG’s second win in three matches. With this win, Lucknow moved to the fourth position in the points table.
Speaking to Cricbuzz, Sehwag said Mayank should play for India after this IPL if he remains fit. He further mentioned his line and length comparing him with Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) fast bowler Umran Malik. Mayank currently has the record of bowling the fastest delivery of this season. Notably, he has played only two matches.
“The difference between Mayank and Umran is that his lines are accurate. Umran was also quick but he wasn’t able to improve on his line and length. Mayank’s lines and lengths are accurate. He is well aware that he has the speed but if I get my lines wrong then I could concede boundaries. Just for that alone I feel that he should play international cricket after IPL if he remains fit,” said Sehwag.
Mayank grabbed the three crucial wickets of Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, and Cameron Green. He gave only 14 runs in his quota of four overs and was awarded the ‘player of the match’ for this performance.
Meanwhile, Malik has played just one match as an impact player this season. He conceded 15 runs in the high-scoring clash against Mumbai Indians (MI) and wasn't given the ball in the entire game.
Mayank Yadav’s Early Career
The 21-year-old Mayank was sold to LSG in the auction of the IPL 2022 but unfortunately, because of his injury, he didn’t get the opportunity to make his debut in the IPL. In 2023, playing for Delhi in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy he took seven wickets in six matches, and bowling in the Vijay Hazare Trophy he took seven wickets in five appearances. In the Deodhar Trophy, he bowled impressively and scalped 12 wickets from 5 matches. Mayank came into the limelight when he made his debut for LSG against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) and took three wickets by giving 27 runs with his sheer pace.
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LSG Moves to Fourth Position in the Points Table
LSG with their second win in three matches have climbed to the fourth spot in the points table with four points and have a net run rate of 0.483. Meanwhile, RCB are in deep trouble after suffering their third defeat in four matches. They are placed ninth in the points table. In front of their home crowd, this was RCB’s second defeat. In their last match, KKR defeated RCB by seven wickets.
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