Always wanted to get a good start to show my ability and show my worth: Kyle Mayers

Lucknow Super Giants swatted aside the Delhi Capitals in their campaign opener on the back of heroics from Kyle Mayers and Mark Wood. Mayers, who was making his IPL debut, smashed 73 runs off just 38 deliveries to take his side to a formidable total in the first innings. Following his heroics with the bat, the Carribean all-rounder revealed that he always dreamt of playing in the IPL.

The Lucknow-based outfit were off to a stuttering start after skipper KL Rahul was dismissed for a cheap score. However, his opening partner, Kyle Mayers, decided to cut loose after getting his eye in. He was quite severe against the Delhi spinners and led the foundation for his side's victory in the campaign opener of IPL 2023.

"I have always dreamt of playing in the IPL; I got the opportunity today. In my mind, I always wanted to get a good start to show my ability and show my worth, and I thought I did that. It was a new surface. None of my teammates knew how the surface would play. 

It was a slow start as we were trying to understand how the pitch was reacting and trying to adapt. I got stuck in, faced a few balls and then just executed my plans when the balls came in my area,” Mayers said after his blistering half-century against DC.

Mayers showed praise on Mark Wood after his match-winning bowling display

While Mayers helped his side to a challenging total in the first innings, it was his team-mate Mark Wood, who unleashed a fiery spell of fast bowling to wreck the Delhi batting order. The LSG opener was all praise for the English pacer, who was named the player of the match for his spectacular five-wicket haul. 

“To get five wickets in a T20 game is a real accomplishment. He bowled fast and challenged the batters by using the wicket,” the southpaw added.