NEW DELHI: Mayank Yadav‘s journey from the alleys of Delhi to his maiden India call-up is the stuff of dreams. A fast bowler, who clocks in speeds that send batters ducking for cover, Mayank is now set to don the Indian jersey for the first time in the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh, beginning October 6.
Known for his blistering pace, Mayank caught the world’s attention when he made debut for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the IPL 2024.
In that unforgettable match against Punjab Kings, Mayank’s fiery deliveries wreaked havoc in such a manner that opponent skipper Dhawan was forced to uplift the excellence.
“We started off well, but Mayank bowled well with his pace. It was nice facing him, I was surprised at his pace,” Dhawan said after the match.
The numbers speak for themselves – figures of 3/27 in his four overs and a reputation for unsettling even the most seasoned batters.
His impact was felt not just by the crowd, but also by the likes of fast-bowling legend Brett Lee, who hailed him as “India’s fastest bowler.”
His flamboyant bowling, backed by smooth action, continued to inspire in the match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru as he swept Australia international Cameron Green aside with a delivery clocking 156.7 kph.
But behind the raw speed is a story of perseverance. Injuries sidelined Mayank for much of his young career, including the latter part of IPL 2024.
Despite this setback, his talent has led to a focused rehabilitation program, with the youngster bowling 14-15 overs per day at the NCA.
The upcoming Bangladesh series offers a valuable chance for the national selectors to assess his international readiness in a limited bowling capacity, before potentially introducing him to longer formats like the Ranji Trophy.
From being the kid in New Delhi’s Motinagar who rattled batters with head-high deliveries, to now being hailed as India’s new pace sensation, Mayank’s ascent has been both thrilling and inspirational.
The 22-year-old has had notable mentors like the late Tarak Sinha, who also coached Rishabh Pant.
Despite not having played U-14 or U-16 cricket, his rise in Delhi’s cricketing circles was meteoric. Now, with his first India call-up in hand, Mayank stands on the cusp of something bigger.
