Know all about India's new player Mayank Markande
Leg-spinner Mayank Markande has been handed a call-up to the Indian T20I squad for the series against Australia. The 21-year-old Markande has delivered impressive performances in the last 12 months. On Friday, he helped India A to clinch a victory against England Lions in the second unofficial Test. Markande rose to fame after a sensational IPL season with Mumbai Indians. Here's more about him.
Markande was superb for India A
Mayank was superb against the Lions. He was a menace for the visitors as he ended up with figures of 5/31 in the second innings. His heroics helped the side win the two-match unofficial Test series by a 1-0 margin. This was the leg-spinner's third five-for in his career. In seven first-class matches, Markande has already taken 34 wickets, with a best of 6/84.
'We are looking at Markande as a back-up spinner'
"We are looking at Markande as a backup spinner. We have been grooming him though India A process and today also he picked up a five-wicket haul. So, we want to look at him and he'll be a back-up spinner," Chief Selector MSK Prasad said.
Markande had a superb debut season in the IPL
The Punjab spinner came into the limelight after a terrific season for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League. He picked up 15 wickets for MI in 14 matches with a best of 4/23. He had a memorable IPL debut. Markande took 3 for 23 for Mumbai against Chennai Super Kings. Going into IPL 2019, the youngster is MI's main weapon in spin department.
Mayank has impressed in List A matches
Markande has been superb for India A in recent times. He appeared for the side in the unofficial ODI series against England Lions. The spinner took five wickets in the first two ODIs. He was then called up for the unofficial Test series, where he played the second game. He has 45 wickets from 22 List A matches at an average of 19.97.
Markande's journey in cricket through the years
Markande was born on November 11 in 1997 in Bathinda, Punjab. He made his U-16 debut during the Vijay Merchant Trophy in 2013-14. The youngster picked up 29 wickets in just seven games. He made his debut in List A cricket last year in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Markande made his T20 debut last year for Punjab in the Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament.
Smart decision by selectors to call Markande: Our take
It was a smart decision by the selectors. The player will be hoping to make his debut for India in the T20Is against the Aussies. He is in form and the international stage could give him confidence ahead of the IPL 12 season.
