New Delhi, Dec 22 (NationPress) The moment Mangesh Yadav's name appeared during the IPL 2026 auction broadcast from Abu Dhabi, a fierce bidding showdown erupted between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), marking a significant turning point in the left-arm fast bowler's life.

In mere seconds, his value soared from a starting price of ₹30 lakh to an astonishing ₹5.2 crore—a remarkable leap for a pace bowler. Mangesh, known for his skiddy deliveries consistently reaching 140 kmph and possessing a lethal yorker, struggled to comprehend the whirlwind of events.

"I was just hoping for a single bid from any team, and when RCB made the first move, I felt ecstatic. But then, to see SRH and RCB battling for me, driving the price to five crores, was absolutely surreal. My parents were thrilled, receiving calls from family back home," Mangesh shared in an exclusive chat with IANS.

Meanwhile, Phoolchand Sharma, who operates the Wonders Cricket Club in Noida—far from where Mangesh's life was taking a dramatic turn—was overwhelmed with joy. "Seeing him get selected was an indescribable feeling. Many kids from my club have played in the IPL, but his achievement brings a unique joy. I always hoped he would be picked up in the auction," he expressed.

“I’ve never met his parents, yet I consider him like my child. He’s always been a calm, dedicated player, and I provided him ample opportunities in local matches both in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. His long journey is finally yielding results due to his unwavering commitment,” he added.

Mangesh's cricketing saga began in Borgaon village, located in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district. His journey did not start at an academy but rather in the compound of his home. At just six years old, he would come home in tears after skirmishes with other boys during games. His mother, Rita, offered a solution: she would bowl to him, allowing him endless batting practice.

"This is how my regular cricket practice began. I started bowling later with my left arm, inspired by the techniques of Mitchell Johnson and RP Singh, which motivated me significantly," he recounted.

As time passed, Mangesh's talent became evident, but coming from a family of six, with three sisters, financial constraints loomed large. His father, Ramavadh, worked as a truck driver to support the family, making the pursuit of professional cricket seem financially unfeasible until his maternal uncle intervened, encouraging Ramavadh to allow Mangesh to pursue cricket seriously.

Following this, Mangesh relocated to Noida to train under Sharma. However, the hostel fees were set at ₹20,000 per month, a sum his family could not afford. A pivotal moment occurred when Sharma, impressed with Mangesh's talent, waived the fees, allowing him to stay and practice, significantly aiding his development.

“My father has sacrificed so much for me. My only focus was on playing cricket; all the hardships were borne by him. Without Phoolchand sir's support, I wouldn't have been able to chase this dream,” Mangesh stated.

The weight of Ramavadh's sacrifices was never lost on Mangesh. While he made early morning trips on trains for training, his father would wake up at the same hour to start another long, arduous shift driving his truck, often navigating hazardous roads through the night.

"My father’s resilience is unparalleled. It saddened me to leave for cricket while he faced such challenges, especially since those roads have improved only recently," he shared.

The academy progressed alongside Mangesh, evolving from basic facilities to a modern setup equipped with gyms, indoor nets, trainers, and coaches. Renowned Indian players like Shivam Mavi, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Ashish Nehra, and Hardik Pandya would occasionally visit Sharma’s academy for practice sessions when in the Delhi-NCR region.

What caught Sharma's attention was Mangesh's unique left-arm bowling style, which required no major alterations. His smooth, repeatable action reminded Sharma of how Zaheer Khan bowled, showcasing a natural talent.

"There’s a certain finesse when a left-handed player bowls. From his run-up to his delivery, he appeared as a well-packaged bowler. Many aspiring bowlers struggle with rhythm, but Mangesh had it down perfectly, much like Zaheer. We focused on refining his technique," he elaborated.

Minor adjustments combined with Mangesh's natural athleticism unveiled a comprehensive cricketer capable of consistently bowling at 140 kmph. "Having experienced seniors like Anureet Singh, who has played in the IPL, Mavi, and Bhuvneshwar, provided him with valuable support and guidance," Sharma said.

“We slowly identified and worked on his small shortcomings. He has always been a skilled fielder. During practice, while others were absent, he would hit long sixes, showcasing his impressive hitting power,” he added.

Mangesh represented Madhya Pradesh in the U19 and U23 teams but feared that opportunities to display his talent might slip away without a solid platform. The introduction of the Madhya Pradesh League, initiated by Mahanaaryaman Scindia, was a game-changer. While playing for Gwalior Cheetahs, Mangesh emerged as the tournament's leading wicket-taker with 14 wickets, attracting the attention of IPL scouts.

"I believed I was running out of time to seize my chance, but the MP League opened doors for me. Performing well there changed everything for me," Mangesh reflected.

His three mentors—Anand Rajan, Tanmay Srivastava, and Ankur Tyagi—also played crucial roles in enhancing his game and mindset. Srivastava, a former Under-19 World Cup winner for India, and Rajan, who has played for the state and in the IPL, provided invaluable insights.

“I consult Ankur Tyagi after every match; he’s like a big brother to me. His guidance has been instrumental in my growth,” Mangesh expressed.

Despite a lackluster debut in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), MP head coach Chandrakant Pandit urged him to demonstrate his batting skills in the second match against Punjab. Mangesh seized this opportunity, scoring 28 runs off 12 balls, proving his versatility beyond just being a bowler.

"My first match didn’t go well, but the captain supported me, and I managed to take wickets. Pandit sir insisted I needed to bat as well. In the second game, he sent me up the order, and I was able to showcase my batting talents, which felt great," he recounted.

Before heading to Pune for the Super League stage of the tournament, Mangesh underwent trials with RCB, Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals, and Mumbai Indians. Although he missed trials with SRH and PBKS due to scheduling conflicts, the former's bowling coach, ex-India pacer Varun Aaron, recognized his talents.

Now, joining RCB means Mangesh will share a dressing room with the legendary Virat Kohli—a childhood dream he thought was unattainable. "I have always aspired to play under Virat sir’s leadership. Though he won’t be captain, sharing a dressing room with him is surreal. I never envisioned this dream becoming a reality," he remarked.

His recent experiences under Patidar's captaincy during high-pressure SMAT matches have also equipped Mangesh for this new chapter. “Cricket can be daunting if you overthink it, especially in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where facing players like Prabhsimran Singh and Ishan Kishan is challenging. However, Rajat bhaiya’s captaincy made it manageable. I fulfilled my role, which eased the pressure,” he stated.

Visualizing his debut in RCB's iconic red jersey, Mangesh stands at the top of his run-up, gripping the new ball, an exhilarating thought for him. Yet, his ultimate ambition remains to don the blue jersey of India.

"Wearing the RCB jersey while standing at the top of my run-up is thrilling. I hope this leads to an opportunity with the Indian team, where I can bowl the first ball for my nation. That would be an indescribable feeling," he enthused.

Rather than getting overwhelmed by the enormity of the IPL, Mangesh intends to focus on learning from Kohli, Patidar, and Venkatesh Iyer to enhance his skills. "We’ll have a team camp where I can train alongside Virat sir, Venky, and Rajat bhaiyas. I’ll learn through practice matches and improve my game. Staying in touch with them will be invaluable for my development," he added.

What sets Mangesh apart from India’s impressive roster of fast bowlers, Sharma argues, is not just his left-arm pace but also his genuine all-rounder capabilities.

"India boasts numerous fast bowlers, but a perfect package like Mangesh is rare. While Arshdeep, Bumrah, Harshit Rana, and Shami are all exceptional, they don’t possess the same batting and fielding prowess. I’m not biased; I speak from a cricketing perspective. If he stays healthy, you’ll see him representing India in a year or two," Sharma predicted.

The financial rewards from this life-altering IPL contract will enable Mangesh to fulfill his aspirations off the field. Top of his priority list is providing a grand wedding for his three sisters, followed by relieving his father from years of exhausting truck driving and purchasing a home to eliminate their reliance on rented accommodation.

His message to aspiring cricketers encapsulates hard-won wisdom: talent alone isn’t enough; stellar performances don’t guarantee selection, and persistence is more critical than immediate results.

"From my experience, without struggle, you won’t achieve anything. Nothing comes easy. In cricket, you must exert double the effort than usual, especially since sometimes you won’t get selected even if you perform well. Conversely, you definitely won’t be picked without good performance. Just trust that God sees your efforts; work hard, and he will reward you at the right moment.

“You must remain true to yourself and your endeavors. My seniors frequently advise me to stay grounded and focus on the game. It’s essential to show respect to everyone and maintain your focus when on the field," Mangesh concluded.