Not Bumrah, Pace Sensation Mayank Yadav Reveals 'Only Pacer' He Idolises

The Indian Premier League (IPL) unearthed a new gem as young pace sensation Mayank Yadav delivered a fiery performance in Lucknow Super Giants' win against Punjab Kings on Saturday. Mayank bowled at express pace, over 150 kmph, on a regular basis, clinching player of the match performance in LSG's victory. After his memorable show against Punjab, the 21-year-old speedster spoke about the bowlers that have inspired him over the years. Surprisingly, there was only one name that Mayank took and it was that of former South Africa sensation Dale Steyn.

"I look up to only one fast bowler, Dale Steyn. He is my idol. I idolize him a lot," Mayank said after the match.

It isn't just fast bowling that Mayank is fascinated with. The youngster also likes jets, planes, superbikes, and rockets. 

"Speed thrills and excites me, even in general life. Things like rockets, planes, and superbikes excite me. In my childhood, I used to like jets, so you can say I get my inspiration from there," he said.

The youngster could've featured in the IPL last year too but an injury prevented that from happening.

"Injuries are part of fast bowlers' life. Last season also, I also missed playing in the IPL because of an injury."

As pointed out by the broadcasters, here are the bowling speeds per delivery (in kmph) of Mayank's unbelievable spell of 3/27 in 10 overs, in which he dismissed Jonny Bairstow, Prabhsimran Singh and Jitesh Sharma to swing the tides in Lucknow's favour following a century partnership between Bairstow and skipper Shikhar Dhawan in a 200-run chase. He took home the 'Player of the Match' award. 

1st over: 147, 146, 150, 141, 149, 147 (in kmph)
2nd over: 156, 150, 142, 144 (wicket), 153, 149
3rd over: 152, 150, 147 (wicket), 146, 144, 143
4th over: 153, 154, 149, 142 (wicket), 152, 148

During his spell of 24 balls, Mayank crossed the 150 kmph mark nine times. His first ball of the second over, measured at 155.8 to be precise, is among the fastest deliveries in IPL history and is the fastest of IPL 2024. The fastest delivery in IPL history was bowled by Australia's Shaun Tait, who touched the 157.7 kmph mark for the Rajasthan Royals against the Delhi Capitals back in 2011. 

With ANI inputs