IPL 2024: India has found its fastest bowler, ex-Australian pacer hails Mayank Yadav

Pacer Mayank Yadav, playing his first Indian Premier League (IPL) game, sent down a 155.8kmph delivery in his second over while playing for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) against Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Saturday in the ongoing 2024 season.

LSG bought the 21-year-old for his base price of INR 20 lakh in the IPL auction ahead of the 2023 season. He was with the side last year but suffered an injury.

Mayank made his debut against Punjab Kings and impressed right away, sending down a 150kmph delivery in his first over of the game. He broke the speed-o-meter in the next over, starting the 12th with a 155.8kph ball to Shikhar Dhawan.

He blazed past Nandre Burger (153 kmph), Gerald Coetzee (152.3 kmph), Alzarri Joseph (151.2 kmph) and Matheesha Pathirana (150.9 kmph) at a single stroke within the opening spell of his IPL journey.

He finished with figures of 3/27 as LSG beat PBKS by 21 runs. He dismissed Jonny Bairstow for 42. He also went on to dismiss Prabhsimran Singh and Jitesh Sharma.

Only one Indian quick, Umran Malik, has been clocked at a faster speed. The 24-year-old speedster, who burst onto the scene from anonymity in a similar fashion, hit a top speed of 157kph in IPL 2022.

Meanwhile, former Australian pacer Brett Lee is impressed by the youngster and remarked that India has found it's fastest-ever pacer in Mayank.

Mayank made his domestic debut in 2021 and has played one first-class game for Delhi thus far, with 17 List A matches and 10 T20s. He has an exceptional record in the shorter formats, picking up 34 wickets in List A cricket at an average of 21.55 and an economy rate of 5.35.