In the match against Delhi Capitals, it was Kyle Mayers who starred with the bat for Lucknow Super Giants as he hammered 38-ball 73 on his IPL debut. Post his heroics with the bat he spoke to the media and said, “I have always dreamt about playing in the IPL. I get the opportunity today. In my mind I always wanted to get to a good start to show my ability and show my worth and I thought I did that”.
The Barbados-based left-hander was asked to play in the playing XI in place of Quinton De Kock. When he came to bat, he started slow as at one stage he was playing on a run a ball score of 17 but then he changed gear and started punishing Delhi’s bowlers all around the park.
“It was a new surface. None of our teammates knew how this surface would play. We try to assess as quickly as possible. It was a slow start as we were trying to understand how the pitch was reacting and trying to adapt. I got struck in, faced a few balls and then just executed my plans well when the balls came in my area,” said Mayers.
Gujarat Titans roped in Mayers as a replacement for Jason Roy but then he did not manage to get a game initially.
“I was here last year but didn’t get the opportunity to play. Being here is phenomenal for me. I didn’t get the game last year but I learnt a lot just to be part of this atmosphere. It helped me, and when I went on to play international cricket and did well there,” he stated.
Mayers was included at the very last minute to the playing XI and he proved his worth by smashing 28 balls fifty and overall 73 runs. Mayers also built a crucial partnership of 79 runs in 42 balls with Deepak Hooda who scored 17 runs and helped Lucknow Super Giants post a mammoth 193/6.