IPL 2018: 10 things you need to know about Mayank Markande

The Indian Premier League is all about unearthing new talent. It is all about their stories of the journey to the top. Every year, IPL throws up a lot of names that are unheard of, some fade away, some hang in there and then there are some who become overnights sensations. This year, one such name is Mayank Markande.

The 11th edition of IPL got off to a cracking start. Chennai Super Kings announced their return in style by pulling off a mind-boggling chase to beat defending champions Mumbai Indians by one wicket on the penultimate delivery of the match. Although the hosts could not get their desired result in the tournament opener, in 20-year-old Markande, they found a star for the future.

It turned out to be a dream debut for the leg-spinner from Punjab as he recorded spectacular figures of 3/23 from his four overs, breaking the back of Chennai’s famed batting line-up with his beautifully disguised googlies.

After trapping Ambati Rayudu in front of the wickets off his third delivery, Markande got the big fish MS Dhoni before finishing a splendid spell with a googly off that got the better of Deepak Chahar.

The youngster from Punjab is a fine addition to the current crop of leg-spinners, who are ruling the world of limited-overs cricket these days. Without any further ado, let's get to know the young man, whose name is now being taken in the same breath as Rashid Khan, Shadab Khan, Yuzvendra Chahal.

#1 Mayank Markande hails from Bathinda, Punjab.

#2 He was 16-years-old when he made his Punjab Under-19 debut and was a part of India’s Under-19 squad in 2016.

#3 The bowler took 7 wickets on his Punjab Under-16 debut in 2013-14 and 11 more in his next 2 matches.

#4 He started his career as a pacer and used to bowl the back-of-the-hand slower delivery with great effect. That’s also how you bowl the googly. So, his coach convinced him to switch to leg-spin.

#5 The young leggie idolizes spin wizard, Shane Warne.

#6 He took 5 wickets in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and 10 wickets in the subsequent Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2017/18.

#7 Markande was picked by Mumbai Indians for his base price of Rs 20 lakh in this year’s auction.

#8 Despite 37 missed calls and 300 text messages, the Punjab spinner didn’t believe that he was bought. It was a call from MI’s team manager Rahul Sanghvi that made him believe that he was actually picked.

#9 Markande had played just 6 List A and 4 domestic T20s before making his IPL debut in 2018 season opener.

#10 With 3/23, Markande has the best bowling figures on debut for Mumbai Indians as a spinner and second overall after Lasith Malinga, who has 3/15.