The announcement of the T20I series against Bangladesh raised eyebrows with the selection of Mayank Yadav, the fast bowler. Mayank, who has a style to reach above 150kmph, left everyone awestruck during the IPL 2024 with perfection in his lines and lengths. In a particular delivery, he pitched at 156.7 kmph of speed. For his first two games, he played with Lucknow Super Giants and earned the Player-of-the-Match title but he could not continue thanks to the abdominal strain that followed. Mayank then underwent rehabilitation at the NCA in Bengaluru focusing on recovering and resuming match fitness by readying himself to bowl eight to ten overs every day.
Mayank made his international debut against Bangladesh in Gwalior and after bowling a maiden over earned his first wicket for the team by dismissing Mahmudullah. Wednesday’s second T20I of the three-match series against Bangladesh at Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi was a splendid return for Mayank who hails from the famous Sonnet Club. He exceeded 149 kmph in his first T20I while in the second T20I, he was clocked at 146-17 on a few instances.
Nonetheless, he has not been able to reach even 150kmph in international matches. To this Tamim Iqbal of Bangladesh reacted.
“Mayank Yadav has not touched 150 in this series,” said Tamim Iqbal during a commentary.
“Neither has Bangladesh,” it was retorted by Murali Kartik, who was a co-commentator with him.
With the BGT series on the cusp of commencement, there have been mixed reactions among the fans concerning the pace-attack India has on the tour.
RP Singh supported Akash’s case for the BGT series as he believes that the 27-year-old bowler’s expertise is more appropriate for venturing out into the Australian conditions.
‘Akash Deep must be sent to Australia. I believe his bowling will benefit more from the Australian conditions. Plus, Mayank Yadav has … speed, which is one of the things in fast bowling. There are more things to it. He needs to develop more variations and skills slowly. Mayank is undergoing development,’ said RP Singh, Expert, JioCinema and Sports18 while speaking to the media.
The former left-arm seamer is optimistic that Mayank will be allowed to show his capabilities in the domestic arena in India because red-ball crickets Tests are both tedious and technical as far as the players are concerned.
‘In a Test match, the patience and skill of players is what is tested. There is time for it. A lot of domestic cricket has to be played that Akash Deep and Mohammed Shami have played. Mayank has not reached the stage both these players have crossed. I believe Akash Deep is the right option for the tour to Australia,’ he concluded.