Naman Dhir calls Mayank Yadav ‘Just another bowler’ after MI crush LSG

There was a lot of hype around Mayank Yadav, and even he proved why Lucknow Super Giants were eagerly waiting for his return in the ongoing IPL 2025, but for Mumbai Indians batter Naman Dhir, the Indian pacer was just another bowler.

After a six-month injury layoff, Mayank Yadav made his long-awaited return to competitive cricket for the Lucknow Super Giants in their IPL 2025 clash against the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday, April 27.

Naman Dhir plays down hype around Mayank Yadav

However, the Indian pacer’s comeback wasn’t as impressive as was expected. Known for his piercing pace and accuracy, Mayank’s performance showed a noticeable dip in speed. However, the LSG pacer managed to pick up 2 wickets for 40 runs in his four-over spell against the Mumbai Indians.

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Well, on being asked about the experience of facing Mayank, Dhir denied having any special preparations for the match. The MI star admitted that he watched Yadav’s bowling videos to understand his strengths, but made it clear that for him, it was just another bowler to face.

Naman Dhir said at the post-match press conference, “It's nothing special. He is bowling, I am batting; it's nothing special. It's another bowler to face for me. I won't say I prepared much against him. Yes, I watched his videos of what he will bowl and what shots I can play, but I would say it's another bowler for me to face.”

Mayank Yadav battles pace drop after comeback

In his comeback match, Mayank Yadav’s quickest delivery clocked 142.7 kph, a pace he used to consider slow, as reported by ESPNcricinfo. After getting hit for two sixes by Rohit Sharma, the LSG speedster smartly got him out with a wide, slower ball.

Even though Mayank Yadav gave away some runs early, he bounced back by dismissing the Mumbai Indians captain, Hardik Pandya, in the 16th over. The young pacer later kept things tight against Suryakumar Yadav and Dhir by mixing in clever slower balls on the tricky surface.

Read Also: Rishabh Pant mentally disturbed since joining LSG!! New revelation sends shockwaves

Naman Dhir credits the top-order and key moments for the Mumbai Indians' remarkable turnaround in the IPL 2025

Meanwhile, Dhir revealed that the Wankhede pitch was still on the slower side, but the top-order batters gave a solid start. He mentioned that in the last five games, MI have been winning crucial moments, and he believes that if they continue this approach, they will keep going upward.

Notably, Mumbai Indians posted 215/7 in their 20 overs, thanks to stunning fifties from Ryan Rickelton (58) and Suryakumar Yadav (54). Naman (25 off 11) and Corbin Bosch (20 off 10) provided a solid finish in the final overs against the LSG.

Dhir signed off by saying, “I would say the pitch was still on the slower side, but the top-order batters batted very well. They gave us a very good start. The pitch was still on the slower side, I would say. I guess, yes, from the past five games, we are ticking the boxes, and we are winning the moments that are leading us to the win. And I guess if we continue doing that, we will move upwards as well. It's like, it's nothing special.”

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