Mayank Yadav deserves a place in the T20 World Cup squad: MSK Prasad

Young sensation Mayank Yadav picked up six wickets in three matches he has played so far in IPL 2024. The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) seamer impressed a lot of former cricketers with his sheer pace, including former chief selector MSK Prasad, who believes that the pacer should be playing for India, in the upcoming T20 World Cup, which is slated to begin right after the ongoing edition of the IPL.

Prasad believes that in the absence of Mohammed Shami, who is currently injured, Mayank can be a lethal option in the mega tournament. The former India cricketer also added that had it been any other format, the 21-year-old shouldn’t have been in contention but since it’s T20 and IPL is one of the premiere tournaments, Mayank should be given an opportunity. The former BCCI chief selector further stated that the Uttar Pradesh speedster could potentially be used as the third seamer option in the Indian team, after Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.

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“Had it been some other format, probably I would have thought differently. I would have taken a call only after watching him for a couple of bilateral series. But IPL is in itself a mega platform where you can showcase your talent because every game involves pressure. Mayank is someone who has shown he can absorb pressure and bowl consistently at a good line,” Prasad said while talking to RevSportz.

“He has already troubled the best of the lot with his pace. If they are not being able to bring the bat down against the pace, he has been generating, I think he will be handy. And looking at the Indian bowling, especially with Shami now being ruled out, the selectors must be looking for a third seamer after Bumrah and Siraj. Someone with that kind of pace and accuracy, deserves a place in the T20 World Cup squad,” LSG's strategic consultant added.

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Meanwhile, in the match against Gujarat Titans, Mayank injured his side strain and couldn’t bowl more than just one over. After the match, all-rounder Krunal Pandya confirmed that the cricketer seemed okay, but LSG are yet to officially confirm the same.