Twitter showers accolades on Mayank Markande after he bagged the Purple Cap

Prior to the eleventh edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Mayank Markande was ‘just another name’ in the cricketing world. Coming into the tournament, he only had only played six List A matches and four T20s for Punjab. Bearing his experience in mind, Markande wasn’t even expected to find a place in the playing eleven in a star-studded franchise.

However, Rohit Sharma and Mumbai Indians (MI) pinned faith on the youngster and he didn’t let his team down by any stretch of the imagination. The leg-break bowler churned out the prized wickets of Ambati Rayudu and Mahendra Singh Dhoni., which pushed the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on the back-foot. Subsequently, he churned out three wickets at a superb economy rate of less than run-a-ball.

A dream start for Markande

The 20-year old carried forward his form against the Sunrisers Hyderabad as well. Shikhar Dhawan and Wriddhiman Saha took the Sunrisers off to a blazing start. The required rate for Hyderabad was well within reach and Mumbai stared down the barrel for another defeat. Nevertheless, Markande had other plans in mind and he brought Mumbai back into contention with an exhibition of spin-bowling.

He nipped out the vital scalps of Saha, Dhawan, Manish Pandey and Shakib Al Hasan, which set the cat amongst the pigeons in the Hyderabad dugout. Though the home team managed to chase the target down, Mumbai definitely a positive from the game into the form of Markande. Also, with seven wickets in his kitty, he is the current holder of the Purple Cap.

Meanwhile, he has conceded a meagre 46 runs in his eight overs, which translates to awe-inspiring strike-rate (6.8) and average (6.57). Quite expectantly, accolades poured in for the leggie from every nook and corner of the world. From commoners to eminent personalities, everyone took to Twitter and shared their congratulatory message for Markande.

Here are the tweets  

Mayank markande apna punjabi munda? well done young fella @mipaltan great to see you doing well.. keep going

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) April 12, 2018

Whatever the result, Mayank Markande has been simply outstanding. Two matches 7 wickets and has bamboozled some of the best players of spin. Has a great future ahead of him #SRHvMI

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) April 12, 2018

Top spell by Mayank Markande. That's two games in a row now. Other teams will be studying him really closely now

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 12, 2018

Mayank Markande is a fantastic find for the @mipaltan …. 2 games … 7 wkts … 20 yrs old … #selectdugout #IPL

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) April 12, 2018

Brilliant find @mipaltan hats off to u guys ..@RayuduAmbati @Jaspritbumrah93 @hardikpandya7 @krunalpandya24 now mayank markande …streak continues

— vigneshwaran (@vicky_msd) April 12, 2018

Talent meets opportunity. Mayank Markande has grabbed it with both hands. Story of the season for @mipaltan so far. Also, Credit to the scouts and the team management for playing him upfront. #SRHvMI

— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) April 12, 2018

Mayank Markande after 2 @IPL matches ?
7 wickets for 46 runs ?#selectdugout @StarSportsIndia ?

— Damien Fleming (@bowlologist) April 12, 2018

First Bumrah and pandya brothers and now mayank markande. @mipaltan WOW?

— ✨ (@anvesha_45) April 12, 2018

Mayank Markande, another serious youngster in the making of coming up through @IPL. 4-23 today, 3 the other day. #IPL2018 #SRHvMI #AnotherTalent @mipaltan

— Anirudh Sharma (@anisharma565) April 12, 2018

Mayank Markande looks like he’s well on his way to becoming a star. Highly impressive! #MIvSRH #VIVOIPLonStar

— Sanjana Ganesan (@SanjanaGanesan) April 12, 2018