'This is just the start, goal is to play for India,' says Mayank Yadav

Lucknow Super Giants` Mayank Yadav bowls during the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 cricket match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Lucknow Super Giants at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Pic/AFP

Fast bowling sensation Mayank Yadav came up with his second consecutive match-winning spell on Tuesday and he is hoping that his stellar start to the IPL leads to an India cap. With back-to-back player of the match performances in his debut season, the 21-year-old has emerged as the find of season. However, IPL is only a means to an end for Mayank. "Feel really good, two Player of the Match awards in two matches. I am happier that we won both the matches. My goal is to play for the country. I feel this is just the start. I enjoyed Cameron Green's wicket the most," said Mayank after LSG's win over RCB in their IPL 2024 encounter.

His three wickets included Green, Glenn Maxwell and Rajat Patidar. Mayank had missed the last season due to injury and he fully knows the importance to fitness. "There are a lot of factors to bowl quick - diet, sleep, training. I am focusing a lot on my diet and recovery - ice bath," he said. LSG skipper K L Rahul could not be more pleased for a cricketer who has shown great temperament to complement his thunderous pace. After rattling Punjab Kings batters with pace on his IPL debut, the 21-year-old meted out similar treatment to RCB batters to end with a second straight three-wicket haul. Rahul is having a hard time keeping to Mayank but he is not complaining.

Also Read: No shoulder to cry on

"One ball hit me really hard, so happy to see Mayank bowl the way he's been bowling. He's waited patiently for a year, he's working really hard, he's really professional, has a great temperament," said Rahul at the post-match presentation. RCB skipper Faf du Plessis also gave due credit to Mayank. "It is the new action you haven't faced before, and if they have pace then you need time to get used to it. But his ability to control length and have accuracy is impressive. "You need two guys to bat through and get a partnership which we were not able to do. We need the strong characters in the dressing room to put their hand up," said du Plessis after RCB's third loss in four games in IPL 2024.

(With agency inputs)