Mayank Yadav bowls fastest delivery of IPL 2024: 'Goal is to play for India'

Mayank Yadav continued to be the toast of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as he continued to breathe fire for Lucknow Super Giants. Just days after establishing the record for fastest delivery this season, clocking 155.8 kmph against Punjab Kings , he went better against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Tuesday. He bowled a 156.7 kmph scorcher to break his own record for the fastest delivery in IPL 2024. It is also the fourth quickest delivery in IPL history - behind Shaun Tait (157.7 kmph in 2011), Lockie Ferguson (157.3 kmph in 2022) and Umran Malik (157.0 kmph in 2022).

For the record, the second quickest delivery this season has come off Nandre Burger, who bowled a 153.0 kmph ball, for Rajasthan Royals.

What has made Mayank stand out is not just the sheer pace but the ability to get the right line and length to go with it. Against RCB he claimed the wickets of Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green and Rajat Patidar.

In the contest at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, RCB were beaten by 28 runs with Quinton de Kock top-scoring for LSG with 81 runs from 56 balls. It was aided down the order by Nicholas Pooran’s flashy 40 runs from 21 balls.

RCB threatened to chase down the 182 run target with Mahipal Lomror hitting the ball well, scoring 33 off 13 balls.

However, Mayank’s 3/14 haul proved decisive in keeping the game away from RCB, who were bundled out for 153. The LSG bowler picked up his second Player of the Match accolade in just his second IPL outing and climbed to second in the Purple Cap standings.

“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 the win.

Mayank had missed the entire IPL season last year and didn’t feature in the Ranji Trophy season either due to injury. He highlighted the importance of being fit to achieve his ambition. “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 captain KL Rahul was pleased to see Mayank deliver the goods at the big stage - even though he’s been at the receiving end of one of his fierce deliveries in the nets. “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 the Lucknow skipper.

RCB skipper Faf du Plessis also credited 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,” said the South African.