At the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium on Saturday evening, Mayank breached the 150kmph mark nine times. The speed gun captured one of his deliveries at 155.8 kmph, making Mayank the holder of the fastest delivery in the ongoing season. It is also the tournament\u2019s sixth fastest ball, & second only to SRH\u2019s Umran Malik in terms of Indian bowlers.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Yadav\u2019s match-winning spell of 3-27 in four overs, where he used short balls to perfection for dismissing Jonny Bairstow, Prabhsimran Singh and Jitesh Sharma - helped LSG beat Punjab Kings by 21 runs to seal its first win of the competition.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Krunal Pandya mentioned Mayank\u2019s name as a player to watch out for in a video on the franchise\u2019s social media accounts. In a virtual interaction, head coach Justin Langer said Mayank caught his eye by bowling at a good pace.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
His IPL franchise website labels him as \u2018medium-fast\u2019, but that will probably change after outclassing PBKS batters with pure pace. Mayank\u2019s speed and thrilling performance have generated buzz among cricket fans, leading to suggestions of fast-tracking him into the Indian team.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Mayank, who took the Player of the Match award on his IPL debut, expressed later how speed has captivated him throughout his life, citing rockets, superbikes, and supersonic jet planes as particular sources of fascination.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Back home in Punjabi Bagh, a bustling neighborhood in West Delhi, his father Prabhu Yadav beamed with pride as Mayank claimed Bairstow as his inaugural IPL wicket. Prabhu recalled how his love for fast-bowling inspired Mayank to become one too.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI was a fan of fast-bowlers, particularly Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose, as well as of Glenn McGrath, Shaun Pollock, and Jacques Kallis. Mayank knew I enjoyed watching fast-bowlers bowl. So he got the idea of becoming a fast-bowler on seeing my interest towards them,\u201d said Prabhu to IANS.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Mayank\u2019s journey in fast-bowling began at eight, but it was a trial at the prominent Sonnet Club in 2017, founded by late Tarak Sinha, that changed everything. Coach Devendra Sharma, who now runs Sonnet Club, which has produced over a dozen players for India, including Rishabh Pant, praised Mayank\u2019s quick pace despite his frail look.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI took his trial as Tarak sir was out of station that time. Seeing his really quick bowling, I was left in awe and wondered, \u2018Fitness wise, his built is very weak, yet bowls very fast\u2019. I realised quickly that he\u2019s got God-gifted talent. His deliveries go very quick off the wicket and his action is very easy and smooth.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI informed Tarak sir about him and when he arrived next week, we slowly got him into playing various tournaments. We also worked on his fitness and by giving him consistent game time, he slowly became ready to play for the main Delhi side.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe have students at the club who bowl at a very fast pace, but Mayank is very quick off the wicket naturally. Tarak sir was always in praise of him. Sir ki nazrein aisi thi ki ekdum pehchaan jaate hai (Tarak sir had this knack of spotting talented players immediately). When he first came to me, he didn\u2019t even have shoes to bowl fast. Now, he\u2019s bowled the fastest ball in IPL 2024, and it is a very proud moment for the club,\u201d said Devendra to IANS.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Mayank gained a reputation in Delhi cricket circuit for taking multiple wicket hauls and hitting batters\u2019 helmets. Despite his style of bowling reminding one of West Indies\u2019 fiery bowlers, Mayank idolizes South African pace-bowling legend Dale Steyn.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cEven Tarak sir asked him once that who do you like the most in cricket and Mayank replied, \u2018Dale Steyn\u2019. He further prodded him if he liked anyone else in cricket as Steyn is an out-swing bowler. But Mayank said, \u2018No sir, I only like him in cricket\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cTarak sir and Devendra sir have played a very huge hand in Mayank\u2019s development. They are the ones who have made him the fast-bowler he is right now. If Tarak sir was alive today, he would have been very delighted on seeing his great performance. Whatever he and Devendra sir have done in nurturing Mayank, I will be forever indebted to them,\u201d adds Prabhu.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Krishan Kumar Bharadwaj, the fielding coach & side-arm specialist at Sonnet Club, recalled that Mayank had the opportunity to join the Services side but chose not to. \u201cHe passed the Services trials, but refused to join them as one gets very less chance to play IPL or for the country from being in that team. Moreover, he always had the wish to play domestic cricket for Delhi as he\u2019s been born and brought up here.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
His Delhi debut came in December 2021 during the Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Haryana at the Sector 16 Stadium in Chandigarh. Things went down the wire with Haryana needing 12 runs off the last two overs. Mayank bowled a maiden in the 49th over to seal the game in Delhi\u2019s favour.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In the practice session ahead of the Delhi-Haryana match, something intriguing unfolded. Vijay Dahiya, the former India wicketkeeper-batter and then-head coach of Uttar Pradesh, positioned himself between the nets sessions of both teams to see Mayank\u2019s bowling practice.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Dahiya recognized Mayank\u2019s talent after watching him bowl with impressive speed. He shared this with important individuals in the LSG franchise, including then-mentor Gautam Gambhir. \u201cI told Gautam about Mayank and said, \u2018We should keep an eye on him\u2019. When we sat at the auction table after finalising the strategy for the 2022 mega auction, we were convinced to keep him in our scheme of things and that\u2019s how he got picked for LSG.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe pace stands out for him and what happens at times is, when you want to get convinced, couple of balls or shots are good enough. That was the case with somebody like him, and there is no substitute as far as raw pace in concerned, although he was not bowling at this pace, but he was looking completely different than anyone else from there,\u201d said Dahiya to IANS.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Dahiya, LSG\u2019s assistant coach for its first two IPL seasons, viewed Mayank as a long-term investment. \u201cI told people who mattered after the auction that, \u2018We are not buying him thinking that he will play this year for us, but he will be ready by next year onwards\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cHe was all set to play last year, but in a practice scenario, he unfortunately got injured (tore his hamstring) and couldn\u2019t play in the season. If not for the injury, he would have made his IPL debut last year.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Once fit, Mayank played for the North Zone side in the 2023 50-over Deodhar Trophy, picking 12 scalps in five games at an average of 17.58. He particularly made heads turn by picking out Rahul Tripathi\u2019s middle stump with a rapid ball.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In the start of the domestic season, Mayank shined by taking five wickets in four games in Delhi\u2019s march to semi-finals of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he picked six wickets in five games, before an injury ruled him out of Ranji Trophy.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Mayank\u2019s injuries worried him, but Devendra ensured he remained motivated. \u201cTwo years ago, he told me about making his IPL debut, but injuries came in the way. I used to tell him, \u2018Beta, keep yourself motivated, continue doing the hard work so that whenever you get a chance to play, do well in it\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Earlier this year, as India\u2019s five-match Test series against England drew near, chief selector Ajit Agarkar eagerly wanted to assess Mayank, who was in Mumbai undergoing rehab for a hamstring injury.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI told him to have a word with Agarkar and he said to Mayank, \u2018I want to have a look at you\u2019. But Mayank said, \u2018I am injured right now.\u2019 Saturday\u2019s IPL game was his first competitive game after the injury, where he became Player of the Match.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Bharadwaj recalls Mayank\u2019s journey of becoming mentally stronger during rehab, which propelled him to focus more on his fitness. \u201cWhenever he got injured in between, he always had that positivity in himself to comeback and get his body back to being used to the rigours of the game. He would keep working on his mental toughness during the recovery days and was steadfast over not letting negativity creep in his mind.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Mayank, despite his injuries, attracted the interest of Gujarat Titans, a team with Sonnet Club alumnus Ashish Nehra as their head coach. Pant, who met Mayank on March 11 at the club, also wished for him to be in the Delhi Capitals\u2019 set-up. But neither side could gain his services because of LSG not releasing him.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Dahiya credited LSG for their absolute belief in him despite being ruled out of IPL 2023. \u201cThey looked after him because we said that if he was to be sent home right now, then his confidence will be shaken. Association won\u2019t look after him, so we need to look after him. When we showed interest in him and thought that he\u2019s somebody who can be useful for us, so we need to look after him.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cLSG looked after him really well and results are there. But I will not be carried away by the results to be very honest. Right now, we are talking about a potential and he\u2019s somebody who needs to be absolutely looked after really well because of his pace and history of his body, as he\u2019s somebody who\u2019s got so much to offer.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Dahiya added that captain KL Rahul also needs to be credited for giving Mayank his IPL debut. \u201cIdentifying somebody is one part, but looking after him and giving a platform is the most important part. Credit needs to be given to KL as well, where he believed and gave him the opportunity, although toss was done by Nicholas Pooran.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cBut I still believe it\u2019s KL\u2019s input because JL (head coach Justin Langer) has joined in this year and the people who were in the set-up from day one are not there. It\u2019s about the belief KL had in him of starting the first home game with the youngster.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Devendra thought Punjab would win by eight wickets when they were at 98\/0. But Lucknow emerged victorious thanks to Mayank\u2019s outstanding performance. \u201cHe bowled wicket to wicket and gave no room to the batters. Barring the ball which we bowled down leg to Shikhar Dhawan, rest of the deliveries were excellent.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cBefore this game, I told him to bowl as per your strengths, then all will be well. He called me up after the match ended and sounded very excited by saying, \u2018Sir, I bowled my deliveries very well\u2019. We discussed a lot about how he fared in the game and the things he got it spot-on, like bowling sharply.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI feel whatever God did, it was for the good. He waited for two years to make his IPL debut. I used to tell everyone for the last five years that he can bowl at 155kmph and now he\u2019s proved it to everyone.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Mayank\u2019s confidence and composure in the match left a good impression on Dahiya. \u201cSometimes when you have the pace, you see bouncers being bowled regularly. But he used his bouncer very smartly, as seen from all his victims claimed on short-pitched deliveries and at the right area. He will get a lot of confidence from Saturday\u2019s performance, as you need that one showing to get the self-belief that I belong here.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Bharadwaj remembered how Mayank achieved the accuracy of his deliveries, especially of the bouncer, at Sonnet Club. \u201cOur nets would begin between 10 to 10:30am. On a single wicket, we would place cones and he would be ask to hit them. From there, he built the accuracy of his bouncers and of more deliveries in his arsenal.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
As LSG prepares for their upcoming matches in IPL 2024, Mayank will face mounting pressure to reach high speeds consistently, and Dahiya believes this will be his true test. \u201cThe only thing is, if his speed goes down at some point, people might start wondering if he\u2019s injured.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter how many people tell you that you are good enough to belong. But once when you look into the mirror and say, \u2018I belong here\u2019, things will start to happen for you. When he will be in his hotel room, he will see that performance and say while looking at the mirror \u2018I belong here\u2019. But the test will start now.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Prabhu, who has enjoyed watching his son bowl since he was eight, expects continued exceptional performances from Mayank, as does the entire cricketing community. \u201cI just expect him to play later for the country and let\u2019s see what God does. All we can do is to put in efforts and leave the rest to God\u2019s grace.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n", "image": "https:\/\/img.cricketnmore.com\/uploads\/2024\/04\/from-delhis-sonnet-club-to-bowling-fastest-ball-of-ipl-2024-the-story-of-a-rapid-mayank-yadav.JPG", "alt_img": "From Delhi\u2019s Sonnet Club to bowling fastest ball of IPL 2024: The story of a rapid Mayank Yadav", "alt_title": "Lucknow: Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket match between Lucknow Super Giants and Punjab Kings", "image1": null, "video": null, "seo_title": "From Delhi\u2019s Sonnet Club To Bowling Fastest Ball Of IPL 2024: The Story Of A Rapid Mayank Yadav On Cricketnmore", "seo_desc": "From Delhi\u2019s Sonnet Club To Bowling Fastest Ball Of IPL 2024: The Story Of A Rapid Mayank Yadav, BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium: The cricketing world has been buzzing since March 30, all thanks to Mayank Yadav\u2019s outstanding display.", "seo_keywords": "From Delhi, Sonnet Club, Mayank Yadav, New Delhi, Lucknow Super Giants, Punjab Kings, BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium, Umran Malik, Jonny Bairstow, Prabhsimran Singh, Jitesh Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Justin Langer, His IPL, Punjabi Bagh, West Delhi, Prabhu", "tag": "", "tagging": "From Delhi, Sonnet Club, Mayank Yadav, New Delhi, Lucknow Super Giants, Punjab Kings, BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium, Umran Malik, Jonny Bairstow, Prabhsimran Singh, Jitesh Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Justin Langer, His IPL, Punjabi Bagh, West Delhi", "status": "1", "img_rpt": "0", "google": "1", "standout": "0", "edapps": "0", "pulse": "0", "no_index": "0", "feed": "0", "fixture": null, "slug": "from-delhis-sonnet-club-to-bowling-fastest-ball-of-ipl-2024-the-story-of-a-rapid-mayank-yadav", "user_id": "0", "read_count": "0", "ians_date": null, "ians_time": null, "server_time": null, "trash": "0", "view_count": "1455", "page_break": "0", "instant_articles": "1", "auto_link": "1", "created": "2024-04-01 19:32:03", "updated": "2024-04-01 19:32:03", "img_from": "Image Source: IANS", "img_source": null, "schedule_publish": null, "news_keywords": "From Delhi, Sonnet Club, Mayank Yadav, New Delhi, Lucknow Super Giants, Punjab Kings, BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium, Umran Malik, Jonny Bairstow, Prabhsimran Singh, Jitesh Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Justin Langer, His IPL, Punjabi Bagh, West Delhi, Prabhu", "livescore_text": null, "livescore_link": null, "btn_text": null, "resend_feed": "1", "google_feed": "1", "read_more": "0", "posted_by": "23", "jio_date": "2024-04-01 19:32:03", "scheduled": "0", "news_now": "1", "breaking_news": "1", "google_date": null, "featured": "0", "pred_match_id": null, "article_content_type": null, "england_cricket": "0", "link": "https:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/cricket-news\/from-delhis-sonnet-club-to-bowling-fastest-ball-of-ipl-2024-the-story-of-a-rapid-mayank-yadav-141635" }