NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has expressed his hope that young pace sensation Mayank Yadav remains fit and is included in the squad for Australia’s tour.
According to Basit, Mayank’s bowling style creates significant challenges for batters, particularly because they struggle to play him on the front foot.
Debutant Mayank (1/21) had been the center of attention from the moment he marked his run up before the toss, and the 22-year-old lived up to expectations in his first competitive match in over five months.
During the IPL, Mayank consistently bowled in the 150kmph range, attracting attention from around the world. In his opening spell of 2-1-3-1, he generated impressive pace, with his first over being a maiden.
Despite concerns about his long-term fitness following a side strain shortly after his remarkable IPL debut, Mayank dispelled some of those doubts on Sunday. He reached 145.7 kmph with only his second ball of the evening and then hit 148.7 kmph with the first ball of his second over.
“It was a dream debut for Mayank Yadav. He started off with a maiden and even clocked 149.9 kmph. He has come from an injury, which is why his speeds have not been 157 or 158. Just imagine if he had been given the new ball instead of Hardik Pandya. He instilled fear. If you guys saw the match, batters did not play him on the front foot. I hope that he remains fit and goes to Australia,” said Basit while speaking on his Youtube Channel.
Veteran Bangladesh batter Mahmudullah found himself troubled by the bowler’s exceptional speed. In an attempt to counter the pace, the 38-year-old decided to leave his crease and attack. However, his plan backfired as he mistimed his shot, resulting in a straightforward catch for Washington Sundar, who was positioned at deep point.
The dismissal marked a significant milestone for the young pacer, as Mahmudullah became his maiden international wicket. The Bangladeshi veteran’s wicket served as a testament to the bowler’s ability to unsettle even the most seasoned batsmen with his sheer velocity.
On the match front, India demonstrated their prowess in all aspects of the game as they defeated Bangladesh by 7 wickets in the first T20I in Gwalior on Sunday. The victory gave India a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
The Indian bowlers put on a remarkable performance, restricting Bangladesh to a modest total of 127 runs. The Indian batsmen then made quick work of the target, chasing it down in a mere 11.5 overs, securing a comfortable victory.
The comprehensive win showcased India’s dominance in both bowling and batting departments, setting the tone for the remainder of the series.
