India fast bowler Mayank Yadav made an immediate impact in the fourth T20I against New Zealand, delivering two crucial breakthroughs during the powerplay at Eden Park in Auckland on Friday, October 30. The young pacer dismissed Tim Seifert and Daryl Mitchell to give India an early advantage after captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bowl first.
Mayank produced a brilliant yorker on the penultimate delivery of the third over to remove the dangerous Mitchell. The New Zealand batter attempted to clear his front leg and drive the ball but failed to make contact. The delivery struck his back foot, resulting in an LBW decision from the umpire.
Mitchell immediately opted for a DRS review, hoping to overturn the decision. However, replays showed no involvement of the bat, while ball-tracking confirmed that the delivery was hitting off and middle stump. New Zealand lost a review as Mitchell had to return to the pavilion after scoring 24 runs off just nine deliveries, including two fours and two sixes.
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The dismissal was particularly satisfying for Mayank, as Mitchell had attacked him earlier in the same over. The right-handed batter had smashed the Indian pacer for a six and two consecutive boundaries before the youngster responded with a perfectly executed yorker to end his innings.
Mayank Yadav brings out the 143 kph thunderbolt and catches Daryl Mitchell plumb! 🚀
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Mayank’s return to the playing XI proved significant after he missed the second and third T20Is. He had featured in India’s series opener in Christchurch, finishing with figures of 1/40, before being left out of the next two matches.
With experienced pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar struggling to make an impact across the first three games, the Indian team management decided to bring Mayank back into the side for the Auckland encounter. The youngster immediately justified his selection with an impressive opening spell.
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He had already provided India with an important breakthrough in his first over, dismissing New Zealand opener Tim Seifert for just three runs off five deliveries on the final ball of the over.
Mayank then removed Mitchell in his second over, completing a memorable start to his spell. At that stage, he had conceded 25 runs and claimed two wickets in two powerplay overs. His early strikes strengthened India’s position and demonstrated the value of bringing fresh pace into the bowling attack.
