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Sabyasachi Bagchi: Mayank Yadav caught Tarak Sinha's attention at the Sonnet Club nets six years ago. Sinha, impressed by Yadav's skills as a lanky and consistently quick bowler, instructed the Sonnet Club officials not to charge any fees from him, indicating a recognition of his potential and a willingness to support his development.

For Sinha’s assistant, Davendra Sharma, the boy looked like a discovery worth investing in. “He had walked in with his father Prabhu Yadav. Mayank’s determination to play for Delhi was evident in his approach. The senior group noticed him, and soon he rattled them with his raw pace. We found a fantastic talent, and I am glad he built on the guidance from Ustaad Ji (Late Tarak Sinha),” recalled Davendra Sharma to Xtra Time.In over telephone.

“I always wanted my son to play cricket, and that too as a fast bowler,” said Prabhu Yadav, who ensured he provided the platform to Mayank, chase his cricketing dreams. Prabhu was self-employed, manufacturing sirens and lights for police vehicles.

Read More: Mayank Yadav became fastest bowler of IPL 2024 after bowling at 156.7 kmph speed

“I went to a club in West Delhi where he was not encouraged even to join, let alone play. Then I heard of the Sonnet Club, where Mr. Sinha was famous for being an unbiased coach. That was the best decision of my life, and I chose to take Mayank to Mr. Sinha. That was the only time I went with him to the club because I was assured that Mr. Sinha and Davendra Ji were the best people to care for my son,” said Prabhu to Xtra Time.In over telephone.

Mayank’s blistering pace in Delhi caused discomfort for the batters, a skill acknowledged by the coaches at Sonnet Club. He was always focused on his goal and adept at bowling with pace, as demonstrated in his standout performance in the IPL 2024.

Breaching the 150kph mark repeatedly in the IPL 2024 encounter, Mayank handed power-hitter Glenn Maxwell a two-ball duck. The LSG pacer then won his battle against Cameron Green as the speedster bowled an absolute snorter to clean up the RCB batter. Recording match-winning figures of ‘Rajdhani Express’ Mayank dismissed set batter Rajat Patidar for 29 to put LSG in the driving seat. Mayank bowled four overs and leaked just 14 runs. He was also named the Player of the Match. Interestingly, Mayank is the first player to take home the Player of the Match award in his first two IPL games.

“One ball hit me really hard, so happy to see Mayank bowl the way he's been bowling in the last couple of games. He's quietly, patiently waited for two seasons in the dug-out, missed out last year because of injury, unfortunately. But he's been in Mumbay with the physios working really hard." said Ex cricketer Gursharan Singh, who pushed for Mayank’s selection in the Delhi team for the Vijay Hazare tournament in December 2021. “He got wickets (six in two matches—three each against Saurashtra and Haryana) but essentially confirmed his talent.”

Read More: IPL 2024: Cameron Green’s wicket was special, Mayank Yadav recalls record-breaking spell against RCB

Tarak Sinha’s passing two years ago could’ve derailed Mayank’s aspirations, but Sharma was there to support him. “Ustad Ji was fond of him. He was convinced he was India material, and Mayank realised he had to work hard to attain his goals. The lad was raw, but he was different. He made batters back away, which was uncommon in Delhi cricket,” said Sharma.

Recalling Mayank’s early days at the Sonnet, Sharma said: “He was amazingly accurate. For a fast bowler, it is difficult to bowl a consistent line, but Mayank was outstanding.”

The Ranji Trophy debut against Maharashtra in 2022 was a welcome step in his pursuit to play for Team India, but a hamstring injury halted his progress. “The injury was a blow. He could not play first-class cricket,” Sharma pointed out.

Mayank turned out for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare (10 wickets in five matches) and Syed Mushtaq Ali (seven wickets in six matches) tournaments in 2022. “He worked tirelessly on his fitness. Mayank has a natural ability to push himself, and I am glad no one asked him to cut down on his pace. The speed he generates sets him apart,” said Sharma. In 2023, Mayank finished with five wickets in four matches in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy, seven in five in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and an impressive 12 in five Deodhar Trophy appearances.

With a classy high-arm action, Mayank is known to attack the off-stump. Most fast bowlers spray the ball to generate speed, but Mayank’s strength is his accuracy. “He does not stray, which puts pressure on the batters,” noted Sharma. 

The 21-year-old is undoubtedly surprised by the praise heaped upon him following his debut in the IPL, but coaches at the Sonnet Club always knew his potential. “It’s not easy to play him consistently on the front foot. The batters are often caught short of time adjusting because Mayank is quick—consistently quick,” said Gursharan, the Delhi team’s batting coach, when not on the selection committee. It was Mayank’s fortune that he got the support of Gursharan, who is well aware of the system in Delhi cricket.

The Delhi selectors often overlook talented players, as seen in their past neglect of Virender Sehwag, Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant during their initial trials. In 2018, Mayank initially faced rejection but compelled the selectors to take notice of his impressive bowling speed, causing discomfort and fear among opposing batters in local tournaments. Such pace at such local platforms was unnerving for the batters; quite a few were saved because of the helmets.

Mayank can be menacing. He loves hitting the helmets, something he has come to love after growing up hearing stories of fast bowlers from his father. Prabhu’s fascination with bowlers hitting batters’ helmets paved the way for Mayank’s love of bowling fast and living his father’s dream. 

At 6’1”, the 21-year-old Yadav is a hot property in Indian cricket. He can bowl a deceptive, slower one and unleash a vicious bouncer, which makes him a dangerous bowler, especially on helpful pitches. His well-wishers hope he maintains his fitness and serves the national team.