Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has heaped praise on rookie fast bowler Mayank Yadav, comparing him to a “Lamborghini” after the 22-year-old earned his first call-up to the Indian team for the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh. Karthik highlighted Mayank’s raw pace and potential to make a significant impact, stating that if the pacer is fully fit, he will be unstoppable.
Mayank made an eye-catching debut for the Lucknow Super Giants during IPL 2024, where he impressed with figures of 3-27 against Punjab Kings and followed it up with 3-14 against Royal Challengers Bangalore. However, his campaign was cut short due to a side strain, limiting him to just a few matches. Despite the setback, his rapid rise caught the attention of selectors, leading to his fast-tracking into the national setup.
Speaking on Cricbuzz, Karthik likened the young bowler’s potential to that of a high-performance car, saying, “He’s like a Lamborghini car. Once you hit the pedal, he flies. If he is fit, he will let the ball fly.”
Karthik also predicted that Mayank could hit speeds of up to 157 kph, making him a lethal asset in India’s pace attack.
Despite having not played a competitive match since April 30, Mayank has been preparing diligently for his international debut. According to reports, he has been enrolled in a special camp at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, where he has regained full fitness after recovering from his injury.
A BCCI source told The Times of India, “Mayank hasn’t complained of any pain over the last month or so. He is bowling full tilt at the NCA. The selectors are interested to see how ready he is for international cricket.”
Mayank’s domestic career is still in its early stages, with just one first-class match to his name, but he has shown promise in List A and T20 cricket, claiming 34 and 19 wickets, respectively. His ability to consistently bowl at high speeds has earned him comparisons to some of cricket’s fastest bowlers, and his maiden India call-up is seen as an opportunity to show his talent on the international stage.
The special NCA camp also features other prominent cricketers like Riyan Parag, Hardik Pandya, and Abhishek Sharma, as selectors look to experiment with fresh faces ahead of the long cricket season.
With his maiden international opportunity on the horizon, Mayank Yadav will aim to make an immediate impact for India, just as he did in the IPL earlier this year. Fans and selectors alike will be keen to see how the young speedster performs in the high-pressure environment of international cricket.
