Mayank Yadav had a debut to remember for the Lucknow Super Giants on Saturday as he scalped three wickets against the Punjab Kings in his four overs. But more importantly, the LSG debutant bowled a 155.8 kmph scorcher against the PBKS, which is now the fastest ball of IPL 2024. Mayank bowled the ball to Punjab's captain Shikhar Dhawan, who was batting on 59 at the time. PBKS were comfortably placed at the time, with the score reading 101/0 off 11 overs as they chased a target of 22 runs. The 21-year-old Mayank went on to scalp the first three wickets of Punjab: Jonny Bairstow (42 off 29), Prabhsimran Singh (19) and Jitesh Sharma (6). All three batters were overwhelmed by the pace of the youngster and ended up offering a catch. Those three wickets halted the run flow of the Punjab franchise, who were 101/0 at one stage. But Mayank's wickets meant they were soon reduced to 139 Things got even more difficult afterwards for Punjab as they lose two quick wickets to slump to 141 Even before he bowled the 155.8 kmph thunderbolt in his second over, Mayank caused a stir in his first over itself by bowling with incredible speeds, where he touched the hallowed 150 kmph mark. His speeds in the first over read: 147 kmph, 146 kmph, 150 kmph, 141 kmph and 149 kmph. Mayank's pace in 24 balls he bowled Mayank thus has the three fastest balls of IPL 2024: 155.8 kph, 153.9 kph and 153.4 kph. Check out the list of the fastest balls in IPL 2024. "Mayank surprised me. His pace outsmarted us," admitted PBKS captain Shikhar Dhawan in the post-match press conference. "He bowled really well. It was nice facing him, surprised me with that pace. Knew as an experienced player I'd use it. But he figured it out and bowled yorkers to keep me down to a dot and a single. I was mindful and told my partners to use the short side. He bowled at Prabh's body and got him out. Told Jitesh to leave Mayank and take on the other bowlers but they bowled well too and then used the pressure against us." LSG bowling coach Morne Morkel added: "Young Mayank bowled serious heat and got the wickets. He ran in and that was the pleasing thing. 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." Mayank's pace got some of the fastest bowlers in history excited. "India has just found its fastest bowler. Mayank Yadav! Raw pace. Very impressive," Brett Lee tweeted. In the post-match chat, Stuart Broad said in the Star Sports studio that he has already texted Australia's Steve Smith, asking him to be ready for Mayank when India tour Australia later this year. The secret we've been keeping 😍🔥pic.twitter.com/BapLhcI2dR— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) March 30, 2024 But who is Mayank Yadav? We tell you.
