Farid Khan, a sports journalist from Pakistan, has been on the receiving end of some fierce criticism from fans for his prediction on Indian tearaway pacer Mayank Yadav. In a viral video, Farid claimed that Mayank will play for India in the T20 World Cup and the team management is showing him videos of Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf in order to get him prepped for the game against Pakistan in New York on June 9. For the unversed, Mayank has been making waves since making his IPL debut for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) last month.
Despite playing just two games so far, Mayank has managed to win over former cricketers and experts with his searing pace. He bowled the fastest delivery of IPL 2024, clocked at 156.7, during the game against RCB on Tuesday.
In two matches, Mayank has picked up six wickets, conceding just 41 runs. The 21-year-old has been touted by many to play for India in the coming months.
Speaking on Mayank, Farid claimed that former Pakistan bowling coach Morne Morkel, who is part of LSG’s support staff, is working on Mayank to get him ready for the T20 World Cup, especially for the game against India.
“Mayank Yadav will be part of India’s T20 World Cup squad. I assure you. You can take a screenshot of my post. India are getting him ready and he will play against Pakistan. BCCI is already showing him videos of Haris Rauf’s spell against India in the last T20 World Cup. Former Pakistan bowling coach Morne Morkel is at LSG, he is getting Mayank ready,” Farid said in a video posted by him on X (formerly Twitter).
Mayank Yadav will play against Pakistan in T20 World Cup 2024. BCCI is already showing him videos of Haris Rauf
Former Pakistan bowling coach Morne Morkel also working with Mayank in Lucknow, and making plans for Babar Azam & Saim Ayub #tapmad #HojaoADFree #IPL2024 pic.twitter.com/skzUhmxBoQ
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) April 3, 2024
However, Farid had to face the wrath of fans for his prediction.
Here’s how social media reacted:
“BCCI is already showing him videos of Haris Rauf” Why? To show him how not to bowl? lol
— Me$$! fan B@rca Supporter (@Joshia206) April 3, 2024
Bhai yeh haris rauf rauf kaun hain?
— stock market parody (@AS269146) April 3, 2024
Out of context
— shubham singh (@shubham49326686) April 3, 2024
Meanwhile, videos of Haris Rauf be like pic.twitter.com/25kOwbHLBt
— Aditya (@adt007ad_) April 3, 2024
Meanwhile, former India batter Manoj Tiwary said that if he was the selector, he would pick Mayank as India’s third-choice pacer after Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami.
“If I was in Ajit Agarkar‘s position I would put him in. Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami and then him. Looking at Mayank’s form, action and release it looks like he is in control and it feels like if you give him a bigger stage, he will deliver. With IPL where many overseas players do come in and get them out, your confidence will also go up,” Tiwary said in a discussion on Cricbuzz.
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