Lucknow Super Giants' Mayank Yadav has played three games this season while going wicketless. | Photo Credit: EMMANUAL YOGINI

Mayank Yadav is that rare Indian talent. The genuine fast bowler.

He had made a sensational debut at the IPL two years ago, when he took three for 27 for Lucknow Super Giants against Punjab Kings, was named the Player-of-the-Match, and clocked 155.8 kmph – the fastest ball yet of the season. He went on to bowl even quicker.

But life has not been kind to Mayank after that brilliant start to his career. He got injured and the comeback hasn’t been easy.

His bowling coach at LSG, Bharat Arun, however, has still plenty of faith in him. “If you ask any coach of any team, they would tell you that they would do anything to have a genuine quick in their team,” he said. “Mayank is such a rare talent for us, but unfortunately, he has been out due to some injuries for last two years and has been inconsistent in playing.

“Now he is fit and raring to go. He is bowling with really good pace, his game was exceptional for him. He is somebody we have to take care of.”

The former India bowling coach and Test bowler is also impressed with other pacers in the team, Prince Yadav and Akash Singh. “Prince does smart hard work,” he said. “Fast bowler is like a racehorse that has to put in a lot of hard work. He understands what his strengths are. Akash also has a bright future, being a left-arm pacer. Like Prince, he also works very hard.”

Published on May 18, 2026