India registered a comfortable seven-wicket win in the first T20I against Bangladesh, with debutants Mayank Yadav and Nitish Kumar Reddy playing key roles. Following their 2-0 Test series win, India entered the T20I series with confidence and the debuts of Yadav and Reddy were highly anticipated. In the post-match interview, both players shared their feelings about representing India for the first time, giving us a glimpse into their journey and what wearing the national colors means to them. Read on to find out what Mayank Yadav and Nitish Reddy think about his India debut.
Bangladesh struggle against Indian bowling attack
After winning the toss, India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav decided to bowl first, and the decision paid off as Bangladesh were all out for 127 with just one ball remaining in the innings. The bowling unit worked together effectively with debutants Mayank Yadav, Hardik Pandya and Washington Sundar taking one wicket each. But it was Varun Chakravarthy and Arshdeep Singh who stole the show, taking three wickets each. Conceding only 14 runs, Arshdeep was named Player of the Year for his outstanding performance.
Mayank Yadav, who grabbed the headlines in the IPL 2024 season with Lucknow Super Giants, looked impressive despite playing just four games before making his India debut. Yadav said in an interview published by BCCI, “It’s a great moment to come back from injury and play. I was very nervous, but I told myself to stay calm. As I played my first match, memories of the past four months came flooding back to me.”
Nitish Kumar Reddy’s dream comes true
Nitish Kumar Reddy, the 21-year-old all-rounder who shone for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2024, also made his debut in the same match. Reddy had an outstanding season in the IPL, winning the Emerging Player of the Season award, cementing his place as one of India’s most promising young talents. Despite his international debut being delayed due to injury, Reddy expressed how special this moment was for him and his family.
“For any cricketer, playing for India is a dream come true,” Reddy said. “There are definitely some nerves, but I enjoy the pressure because it motivates me. It’s a very proud moment for me and my family.”
India’s fastest bowler
22-year-old Mayank Yadav made history as India’s fastest bowler during IPL 2024 by clocking a speed of 156.7 kmph. His sheer pace and ability to trouble batsmen made him a much-anticipated international debut. Coming back from injury and securing his place in the Indian squad was a testament to his resilience and hard work.
Known for his skills as a seam bowling all-rounder, Nitish Kumar Reddy has been on the radar of selectors for a long time. Although injuries have prevented him from taking up previous opportunities, his performances in domestic and IPL cricket have shown that he has the talent to succeed on the international stage.
a promising future
Both Mayank Yadav and Nitish Kumar Reddy are considered future stars of Indian cricket, and their debut is seen as the start of what promises to be a long and successful career. The performance in the first T20I combined with the overall team effort reflects the depth of India’s talent and the continued growth of young players through the IPL system.
As India aim to continue their dominance in the series against Bangladesh, the contribution of these young players will be crucial not only for this series but also for the future of Indian cricket. Fans will be eager to see more of Yadav and Reddy continue to develop and cement their place in the national team.
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