2 Things about Mayank Markande that will surprise you

The second unofficial Test between India A and England Lions had an early end, courtesy the superlative bowling performances by the bowlers. While it was a combined effort from India A’s bowlers in England’s first innings, it was all about Mayank Markande in the second innings as he spun India A to an inning and 68-run victory by scalping a fifer. Markande got a big present on the day when he scalped a fifer as he was selected in the Indian team for two T20Is against visiting Australian team.

With no Kuldeep Yadav in the squad, the chances of Markande making his debut are quite high. Not just T20 format, Markande could soon be part of plans across format as in past one year, he has had performed across formats and has pressed a strong case for selection in the Indian team in each and every format.

The immediate success of Markande is a story worth telling. However, not many know that he didn’t get a place in playing XI of India U-19 team just two years back. Going ahead, here are three unknown things about Mayank Markande that might surprise you.

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#No buyers in first round of IPL auction

Mayank Markande

Not many knew about Mayank Markande when his name was up during the mega-auction held in January 2018. He found no buyer in the first round and was passed on. For the second time in the day, his name was up again and this time, Mumbai Indians decided to get him at his base price of ₹20 Lakh.

The bid turned out to be a career-changing for him as his heroics in IPL for the three-time champions saw him getting chance for India A and India U-23 team. It was now on the leggie to make most out of the limelight that he got during IPL. He lived up to the promise and in less than a year of making his IPL debut, Markande has made it to the Indian team.

# No place in playing XI while playing for India U-19

Mayank Markande: AP image

Markande was a part of the India U-19 Test squad that played two Youth Test matches against the visitors in February 2017. There was no place for the leg-spinner in the playing XI in both the matches and he sat out. Captain Abhishek Sharma is the only player from that Test squad who has played IPL till now. Markande turned 20 in November 2017 that meant that he could not play the junior World Cup. In 2016, he did not come close to selection in the India U-19 team.

Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill and Arshdeep Singh were three players from Punjab, state that Markande plays for, in India U-19 World Cup squad that Boys in Blue won under the leadership of Prithvi Shaw. Gill and Shaw have also played international cricket. The former recently played in two ODIs against New Zealand while Shaw has played two Tests, both against West Indies.