Raw pace has its own magic and so it’s not surprising that cricket enthusiasts are under Mayank Yadav’s spell.
Such has been the Mayank effect that every time his team, Lucknow Super Giants, take the field, all the spotlight, discussions and debates are around the 22-year-old pace sensation. His thunderbolts have enthralled all, be it his teammates or rival players or commentators or just the fans.
So when Lucknow face Gujarat Titans at home on Sunday, all eyes will be on Mayank. Will he go even faster? Or will someone finally crack the Mayank test? It is as if the others who will be playing the match are invisible, even though that group comprises Lucknow captain KL Rahul, Titans captain Shubman Gill and a host of heavyweights.
There’s a growing debate on if Mayank should be fast-tracked to the Indian team, especially because there’s a T20 World Cup a few months away. But to earn that big ticket, only pace will not help Mayank, he has to be consistent as well. So Lucknow’s matches will be Mayank’s big test if he is to cross the selection hurdle.
Keeping Mayank aside, Sunday’s battle in Lucknow will be fought between two teams who match each other well in terms of firepower. The home team, who have never beaten the Titans, will enjoy an edge though, having played better cricket so far, having won two out of three games.
The Titans have had a mixed bag, often flattering to deceive. Gill batted well in the last match and B. Sai Sudharsan has been consistent. But they would probably need more than that to overcome the challenge of Mayank, who is fast becoming a super giant of pace.
