Former India opening batter Virender Sehwag has backed Lucknow fast-bowler Mayank Yadav to play for India following the 2024 season of the Indian Premier League. Yadav bowled the fastest ball of IPL 2024, clocking in at 156.7 km/h against Bengaluru at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. He finished with three wickets while giving away 14 runs and was adjudged the ‘Player of the Match’ against Bengaluru. His spell helped Lucknow beat Bengaluur by 28 runs, moving up to the fourth spot in the IPL 2024 points table, having won two of their opening three matches.
“The difference between Mayank and Umran is that his lines are accurate. Umran was also quick but he wasn’t able to improve on his line and length. Mayank’s lines and lengths are accurate. He is well aware that he has the speed but if I get my lines wrong then I could concede boundaries. Just for that alone I feel that he should play international cricket after IPL if he remains fit,” said Sehwag.
Demonstrating unprecedented pace and precision, Yadav consistently bowled at the 150 kmph mark, peaking at 156.7 kmph, marking the fastest delivery in IPL 2024, breaking his own record which he set against Punjab Kings at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow.
Yadav’s constant high-speed onslaught further resulted in the swift dismissals of Aussie duo of Glenn Maxwell and Cameron Green, denting RCB’s chase at home. Maxwell got undone by Yadav’s pace and mistimed his shot to be caught by Nicholas Pooran while attempting to play a pull shot.
Soon, Yadav rattled Green’s stumps to claim his second wicket of the evening. He completed his three-wicket haul by getting rid of Patidar to break RCB’s back in their 182-run chase. Following their win over RCB, Lucknow will turn their attention towards Gujarat Titans, with the two sides set to clash on Sunday, April 7.
