Punjab & Mumbai Indians youngster Mayank Markande has been called up to represent India in the T20’s against Australia. With consistent performances in domestic cricket, he made a strong case for selection.
The 21-year-old leg spinner took 34 wickets in 7 first-class matches. Just yesterday he guided India A to victory over England Lions with a five-wicket haul. And it turned out to be a dream day for him as he got the national team calls up as well.
After the news broke out he said, “Get a national call-up is the biggest achievement in a player’s career. To be honest I was not expecting this. I did not think I would get included the national set-up this early. I consider myself really lucky.”
He first caught the eye in last season’s Indian Premier League. In the absence of an experienced spinner, he was given a chance & boy did he impress. In the very first match, he took scalps of Ambati Rayadu & Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Markande ended the season with 15 wickets from 14 games.
All though with Yuzvendra Chahal & Kuldeep Yadav being in good form, the youngster will be expected to provide backup. But the exposure he will receive with Team India will be valuable in his grooming. Playing for your country is probably the biggest achievement in an athlete’s career, and Mayank Markande has realized his dream.
