Former South African cricketer and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) fielding coach Jonty Rhodes has heaped praise on young Indian pacer Mayank Yadav, calling him the “Rolls Royce” of the IPL franchise. Yadav, a product of Delhi’s Sonnet Cricket Club, made a stunning debut for LSG in IPL 2024, showcasing his raw pace and impressive skills.
In his debut match against Punjab Kings (PBKS), Yadav consistently bowled above 145 kmph and returned with figures of 3 for 27, including a top speed of 155.8 km/h. He continued to impress in the four matches he played for LSG, picking up four wickets with an economy of 6.99.
However, Yadav’s promising season was cut short by an injury against Gujarat Titans. He suffered a side strain, which was later confirmed as lower abdomen soreness, and was ruled out for the remainder of the tournament.
Despite the setback, Rhodes believes that Yadav has immense potential and is a valuable asset for LSG. “He’s like the Rolls Royce of bowlers, similar to how we used to call Allan Donald a Rolls Royce,” Rhodes said. “He had a whole season with the team and that’s why the owners decided to keep him with the team.”
Rhodes emphasized the importance of managing Yadav’s workload and ensuring that he is physically and mentally prepared for the rigors of the IPL. “He doesn’t need to bowl 30 minutes every day in the nets,” Rhodes said. “He just needs to top up to make sure that he from a mental and emotional point of view feels that he’s ready.”
Rhodes also highlighted the challenges that Yadav faces as a young pacer bowling to some of the best batters in the world. “You’ve got pace, but you can’t bowl in good areas or with good skill, the better players will hit you out the ground,” he said.
Rhodes expressed his hope that Yadav will remain fit and available for the entire IPL 2025 season, whether with LSG or another franchise. “There’s a talent that is exciting,” he concluded.
