Who is Quicker, Shoaib Akhtar or Mayank Yadav: Justin Langer Says 'Phenta Maar Diya' | WATCH

Lucknow Super Giants’ bowling sensation Mayank Yadav has been on a roll since making his Indian Premier League (IPL) debut. After securing back-to-back three-wicket hauls and breaking his own record for the fastest delivery of the season, the right-arm quick from Delhi has become a household name. Yadav has featured in just two matches so far but has entered the Purple Cap race and is currently placed second on the list of the most wicket-takers.

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The 21-year-old has garnered massive praise from the international cricket fraternity, especially the fast bowlers. Social media was flooded with appreciation posts when he shattered his own record to clock 156.7 kph against RCB at Chinnaswamy. His presence has certainly bolstered Lucknow’s pace attack and who would be happier than Justin Langer who just made his IPL debut as a head coach.

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A day after Lucknow’s convincing win over Bengaluru, Langer sent out a light-hearted message to former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar, praising Yadav. In a video uploaded by the franchise, the former Aussie cricketer could be seen saying Akhtar’s punch line, ‘Phenta Maar Diya’.

Important Piece of Advice from Ishant Sharma

Fast bowlers are often told to trade-off pace for more variations but Yadav received golden advice from his illustrious Delhi senior Ishant Sharma – never compromise on speed to acquire other skills. Speaking with ‘Jio Cinema’ spoke about the tips he got from Ishant, a veteran of 100-plus Tests and another senior pacer Navdeep Saini.

“All the bowlers I spoke to in Delhi, Ishant bhai and Saini bhai, they all told me that even if I wanted to try anything new, I should play around my speed. If I want to add a new skill, it should be around my speed and I don’t need to add any skills that could compromise my speed,” said Mayank

READ MORE: Handle With Care! Mayank Yadav, The 155-plus kmph Pace Merchant, Needs to be Wrapped in Cotton Wool

While the focus is on taking as many wickets as possible in a winning cause, the intent of generating pace through every delivery is always there at the back of his mind.

“My attention isn’t on speed as much as it is on taking wickets and contributing to the team by taking wickets. However, it’s always in the back of my mind that when I am bowling deliveries, I need to put pace behind them,” he added.