'My captain told me to only bowl fast' - Mayank Yadav on his stunning IPL debut against Punjab Kings

Lucknow's Mayank Yadav stole the spotlight in the latest Indian Premier League (IPL) showdown against Punjab, showcasing an impressive display of pace and skill that left fans in awe. Making his IPL debut, the 21-year-old delivered a fiery performance, marking his presence with the fastest ball of the tournament so far, clocking an astonishing 155.8 kilometers per hour.

Yadav, in a post-match interview, discussed his impressive debut, mentioning his initial nerves that subsided after his first delivery. He expressed surprise at the quality of his debut, as he had expected more nervousness.

"I didn't think that my debut was going to be this good. I have heard from everyone that there is nervousness but after bowling the first ball, the nerves settled. Everyone told me to bowl on the stumps and use the pace." Mayank Yadav said after the conclusion of the match at the Ekana Stadium on Saturday.

The young pacer attributed his success to the guidance he received from his captain, Nicholas Pooran, who advised him to stick to his strengths and unleash his pace against the Punjab batters.

"At first, I thought that I would need to bowl a lot more slower balls but after the wicket assisted me, my captain told me to only bowl fast," Mayank added,

Also Read: IPL 2024: Three changes Punjab Kings should make to get back to winning ways

Mayank's formidable pace troubled seasoned batters like Jonny Bairstow, who struggled to find his rhythm against the relentless onslaught. Reflecting on his standout moment, Mayank singled out Bairstow's wicket as his favorite, showcasing his ability to make an impact at the highest level.

"My favourite wicket was my first one (Jonny Bairstow). I had kept my goals that I would make my debut at a young age. But that wasn't the case. But happy with my performance tonight," Mayank concluded.

With three crucial wickets to his name, Mayank's electrifying performance played a pivotal role in derailing Punjab's chase of 200 runs, securing a vital victory for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Following their triumph, LSG currently stands 5th in the league table, with two points from two games.