I stick to Rohit’s advice on bowling, says Markande
CHANDIGARH: Few had heard of Mayank Markande till even a year ago. He wasn’t even a regular for the Punjab team. But the leg-spinner’s wicket-taking ability for Mumbai Indians last IPL pitch-forked him into the limelight.
The 21-year-old earned the ticket to the Indian dressing room on Friday after being chosen in the T20 squad for the two games against Australia. It caps Markande showing in domestic cricket – he took 29 Ranji Trophy wickets for Punjab this season – with the national call-up coming on a day when captured five wickets in the second innings to bowl India A to victory over England Lions in the unofficial four-day Test in Mysore. India A won by an innings and 68 runs.
Markande is grateful to MI captain Rohit Sharma for the IPL exposure. “Rohit bhaiya was magnanimous, a kind and amazing captain. Seeing me bowl in the nets prior to the season, he really backed me. Because I wanted to live up to his expectations, I could do well for Mumbai Indians. He told me to bowl my heart out and not hesitate to try variations. I am still bowling with that mindset. It would be great to play alongside Rohit bhaiya in the Indian jersey.”
In his first IPL match against Chennai Super Kings, Markande’s spell read 4-0-23-3, and included the wicket of MS Dhoni. His second match, against Sunrisers Hyderabad, was even better. He took 4/23. Although MI lost both those games in a challenging season, Markande finished with 15 wickets, making an impression with his googly.
Mayank trains under Munish Bali in Patiala. He started as a seamer when he was eight, taking early lessons from former Ranji player Mahesh Inder Singh.
“IPL gave me the right platform and I stuck to hard work. Bowling in Ranji gave me a great chance to test my skills and go the extra mile with variations. Playing for India A further built my confidence,” said Markande, whose father is an inspector with the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited and mother runs a clothing boutique.
Mayank, who idolises Shane Warne, has followed leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal’s career. He feels if he can also grow as a bowler like Chahal, it would be perfect.
“Yuzi paaji has done so well. He started with T20 format and now is India’s main leg-spinner. I would like to take a cue from his bowling.”
Brief scores: India ‘A’ 392 all out in 144.4 overs (A Easwaran 117, KL Rahul 81, P Panchal 50; Z Chappell 4/60, D Briggs 3/71) bt England Lions 144 & 180 all out in 53.3 overs (B Duckett 50, L Gregory 44; M Markande 5/31) by an innings and 68 runs.