Mahi bhai’s wicket was a big thing for me: Mayank Markande

Mumbai Indians signed up Mayank Markande the 20-year-old leg-spinner with little List A and no first-class experience in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018 auction. He was considered to be one of those players the team picked to thicken up the squad and would want to shape him up for a season or two and then give him the opportunity to make it count. However, the youngster impressed the team management in the practice games and the net sessions to make his debut in the very first match.

MI played Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium and Markande had an incredible game as he returned with figures of 3/23 and his scalps included that of the opposition skipper MS Dhoni as his maiden wicket. He wasn’t expecting to be a part of the starting XI and when he was informed about that a day ahead of the game the youngster was nervous.

Dhoni his maiden IPL wicket

He bowled a googly, Dhoni failed to read it and the ball crashed into his pads plumb in front of the stumps, the umpire had little doubt raising his finger.

The leggie walked into the game prepared, he had a specific strategy against particular players devised by the Mumbai team and he tried just to execute the pans.

“I never thought I would make my IPL debut for Mumbai Indians in the first game. I was informed of my selection a day before. I was nervous. The support staff gave me a lot of encouragement,” Mayank was quoted as saying by Sportstarlive.

“There was a strategy discussed for every player in the team meetings, and I just tried to execute my plans that day. Mahi bhai’s wicket was a big thing for me,” he added.

Mumbai like the last few seasons had a slow start and once in a must-win situation they went on to win 4 out of 5 matches and it all boiled down to the last game. MI had to beat the Delhi Daredevils and make a cut among the top 4 teams. Daredevils who were already knocked out of the race spoiled their party by winning the match and thus the defending champions were out of the tournament.

“It was disappointing for all of us as we had given our 100 per cent. I guess it was not meant to be this season, but MI will never give up. I have learnt that approach from the team. We are a strong team and we will be back,” he told Sportstar on Wednesday.

Markande who concluded the tournament with 15 wickets now wants to earn a spot in the India A side, make a mark there, rise through the ranks and be one among the Men in Blue.

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