Young Mayank Yadav bowled serious heat and got the wickets: Morne Morkel

Lucknow Super Giants' youngster Mayank Yadav made a brilliant impact on his IPL debut. The 21-year-old made his first appearance in the marquee tournament in the 11th game when LSG took on Punjab Kings at the Ekana Stadium on March 30.

As Punjab aimed to chase down a target of 200 runs, the side got off to a brilliant start to the run chase as the top order looked to be in brilliant form. However, it was young Mayank Yadav who helped LSG dismiss the top order and eventually helped his side win the game as well. 

His performance certainly impressed LSG’s bowling coach, Morne Morkel. The former star came forward to heap praise on Mayank Yadav’s performance in his IPL debut.

“Young Mayank bowled serious heat and got the wickets. It was tough last year as he got injured after the first warm-up game. We’re managing him better. He ran in, and that was the pleasing thing,” Morkel was quoted as saying by News18. 

“We asked the guys to do the basics well on a good wicket. Told him to stick to his lengths and use bouncers. Proud he ran in and bowled gas despite the humidity. How the wicket would play was an unknown, we had to sum up conditions and use them,” he added.

Plan was to not be under too much pressure: Yadav

It is worth noting that Lucknow Super Giants limited Punjab Kings to a score of 178 runs in the second innings, winning the game by 21 runs in the process. Yadav was named the Player of the Match for his brilliant spell, in which he took three wickets and conceded 27 runs. After the game, the youngster opined that his plan was to not get under pressure and to bowl at the stumps as much as possible. 

“I’ve always heard from others that there’s nervousness in debuts, but that goes away after the first ball. The plan was to not be under too much pressure and to bowl at the stumps and use the pace as much as possible,” Yadav said.