Mangesh Yadav Reflects on His IPL Journey with Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Mangesh Yadav's Exciting IPL Opportunity
New Delhi, December 24: Emerging left-arm all-rounder Mangesh Yadav expressed his disbelief at being selected for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for a staggering Rs 5.2 crore, according to reports.
The 23-year-old cricketer shared that he initially anticipated only a single bid during the auction but was taken aback when four teams entered the fray, ultimately leading to RCB securing his services.
Mangesh has gained recognition for his bowling speed, often reaching close to 140 kilometers per hour. Early in his career, he excelled at delivering balls that moved away from right-handed batsmen, but he has since honed his skills to include inward-swinging deliveries and effective slower balls.
At RCB, he is expected to fill the role of Yash Dayal, with team scouts confident in his ability to secure a spot in the playing eleven right away.
“I’ve been receiving more calls than ever before. However, these are challenges I will need to navigate moving forward,” Mangesh Yadav remarked.
The cricketer from Madhya Pradesh expressed gratitude for the guidance and support he has received from senior players in his state. He noted that achieving financial independence from his father is a significant personal milestone and admitted he is still coming to terms with the enormity of the IPL bid.
“I was unsure of how all of this would feel, but I’m fortunate to have many mentors from my state, including Rajat Patidar, Venky Iyer, and Anand Rajan, who have provided invaluable advice. Not having to rely on my father for financial support felt like a significant achievement. Even now, I’m still processing the reality of receiving such a substantial bid. I want to ensure my parents are comfortable, which requires hard work and focus,” he added.
Despite the thrill of his IPL debut, Mangesh remains grounded and committed to domestic cricket, stating that his immediate focus is on performing well for Madhya Pradesh in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
“I’ve envisioned what it will be like to wear the RCB jersey and stand at the top of my run-up. However, I’ve also imagined taking wickets and winning matches for MP, which remains my primary objective,” Mangesh concluded.