IPL 2024: My goal is to play for the country – Mayank Yadav after match-winning spell against RCB

Lucknow Super Giants greenhorn pacer Mayank Yadav has revealed his goal is to play for the country after a 28-run win against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Tuesday. Yadav returned with a match-winning spell of 3-14 in his quota of four overs against RCB.

LSG posted 181 runs on the board whereas RCB were skittled out for 153, courtesy of a fine spell from Yadav. The right-arm pacer accounted for Glenn Maxwell with a 151 kmph delivery as he hurried the Australian batter. Yadav then smashed Cameron Green’s stumps with a delivery coming into the right-hander.

The youngster then bounced out Rajat Patidar in the last over of his spell. Thus, he played a key in the team’s back-to-back win as he was awarded Player of the Match.

Yadav said in the post-match presentation, “Feel really good, two Player of the Match awards in two matches. I am happier that we won both the matches. My goal is to play for the country. I feel this is just the start. I enjoyed Cameron Green’s wicket the most. There are a lot of factors to bowl quick – diet, sleep, training. I am focusing a lot on my diet and recovery – ice bath.”

On the other hand, Quinton de Kock scored a fine knock of 81 runs off 56 balls with the help of eight fours and five sixes and played a key role in helping LSG go past the 180-run mark. The South African also showered praise on Mayank Yadav for troubling the opposition batters with his brisk pace.

Quinton said after the game, “It (pitch) was holding and bouncing. Wanted to bat for longer because we lost wickets at times. He is bowling rockets in our team. He is keeping it simple and doing really well for his team.”

Nicholas Pooran once again added the finishing touches as he scored 40 off just 21 balls against RCB.

He added, “That’s why he (Pooran) gets the big bucks I guess (On opponents not being able to keep Pooran quiet). Conditions are never quite the same as an opener if you have played at the same venue before.”

Lucknow Super Giants will next take on Gujarat Titans on Sunday at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow.