The Hindu - International

All eyes on ◣factor Mayank as Super Giants host Titans

- M.R. Praveen Chandran

In a format which is unforgivin­g to the bowlers, a young tearaway has become the scourge of the batters in IPL this season.

The 21yearold Delhi born Mayank Yadav, who demolished Punjab Kings and Royal Challenger­s Bengaluru with his thunderbol­ts in the last two matches, has evoked apprehensi­on and fear in the mind of opposition batters.

There is no doubt that Mayank will once again be cynosure of all eyes when Lucknow Super Giants takes on Gujarat Titans, at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium here on Sunday.

It is hard to ignore the Mayank factor on the relaid faster surface at the Ekana cricket stadium which is a world apart from the low bounce, slow track where Super Giants had mixed luck last season.

Riding on Mayank’s ◣factor, the Super Giants will be looking to build a formidable record at home this season. With the LSG’s fast bowling coach Morne Morkel hinting at retaining the winning combinatio­n, the Super Giants after a few days rest will look to continue the good run against Titans whose morale took a beating after suffering a stunning defeat to Punjab Kings earlier this week.

If you can give Mayank an opportunit­y in white ball cricket, T20 cricket, which is not taxing on his body it will be perfect MORNE MORKEL

Not worried

The Titans was waylaid by two inspired IPL rookies Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma in its last match. The Titans will look to regroup and explore ways to neutralise, if not limit the damage from Mayank. Titans batter David Miller said his team wasn’t too worried about facing Mayank and was prepared to attack him and his fellow bowlers. The return to form of captain Shubhman Gill and explosive finish by Rahul Tewatia were some positive takeaways for Titans from the last match. But the Titans will have to put in a more determined and polished performanc­e to beat the Super Giants at home.

 ?? SANDEEP SA◣ENA ?? Task cut out: LSG would hope its skipper Rahul would hit top form against GT.
SANDEEP SA◣ENA Task cut out: LSG would hope its skipper Rahul would hit top form against GT.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from India