Mayank Yadav will haunt and injure Steve Smith in BGT 2024-25, claims Basit Ali

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali talked about the possibility of having Mayank Yadav in the Indian team for the Australia tour. He said that the fast bowler, if fit, could make the batters dance to his tunes in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

India usually is not known for fast bowlers, but there have been a few who have grabbed the eyeball of the entire cricket fraternity. One among them is young Delhi pacer Mayank Yadav. The fast bowler showed his potential to the World in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 while playing for the Lucknow Super Giants.

Mayank Yadav, touted as the fastest bowler in India, oozed his class with the ball in a few games that he played in the league. The fast bowler could play just three games and then was ruled out of the tournament. However, the three games were enough for him to make the impact he would've wanted.

Mayank Yadav made everyone stand and applaud for his heroics. The fast bowler in the game against Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru wreaked havoc and won two Player of the Match awards in the first two games that he played.

Mayank Yadav consistently clocked around 155 kmph and troubled the batters big time. The fast bowler made batters dance to his tune and snatched the victory for his team from the jaws of defeat. However, after that, he got injured, and since then, he has been at the NCA, getting fit.

Mayank Yadav also hasn't been named in the Duleep Trophy 2024. Recently, Jay Shah was asked about the pacer's entry into the Indian team. However, the BCCI secretary said that there's no guarantee about his place as the fast bowler is still recovering from the injury.

Basit Ali speaks about the inclusion of Mayank Yadav in the Indian team for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Basit Ali was asked about the inclusion of Mayank Yadav in the Indian team for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He stated that if the fast bowler is fit, then he will trouble the likes of Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, and Travis Head. Speaking in a video shared on Hafiz Muhammad Imran's YouTube channel, he explained:

"My prayer is that he gets fit. Because the report I have received from India, that he is still in NCA. If he is there, that kid is ready, completely fit, then I will see. Labuschagne, Smith, and Travis Head come forward. Change my name if he doesn't hit batters on their head. He will make them run away."

The Border-Gavaskar will begin on 22nd November at the Optus Stadium in Perth. The second game between India and Australia will be a day and night fixture that will be played in Adelaide from 6th December.

The third Test is scheduled to take place at Gabba in Brisbane from 14th December followed by the Boxing-Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from 26th December. The last match will be played in Sydney from 3rd January.