Brett Lee, one of the most devastating fast bowlers in the world cricket during his time, has tipped Lucknow Super Giants’ Mayank Yadav to be the ‘next big thing’ in Indian cricket. 

The 21-year-old Mayank Yadav burst onto the scene in the IPL 2024 with his raw pace and control and blew away Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in his first two matches.

He consistently clocked over 150 kmph in both matches and picked up three wickets each to become the first cricketer in IPL to win the Player of the Match award in his first two matches.

“He is the next best thing for India,” Brett Lee said during a promotional event in New Delhi on Thursday. “I have said this before, I am looking forward to watching him (Mayank) bowl. I didn’t even bowl at 150 kmph (consistently) at my playing time.”

Unfortunately, though, Mayank Yadav is expected to miss the rest of the IPL season due to a side strain that resurfaced in LSG’s win over Mumbai Indians on April 30.

Lee also said that injuries are part and parcel of the game for a fast bowler. “This is also a big part of that jigsaw puzzle that one can put in to complete the package. It's hard work to be a fast bowler; if you want to be one, you will be injured – it’s part and parcel of the game.”

“He (Mayank) has got more pace and so they (India) have to nurture this young pace talent coming through. It comes down to fitness and the right diet.”

The young fast bowler has a long road ahead but has all the tools in his kitty to make a huge impact in world cricket.