Mangesh Yadav is a 24-year-old left-arm fast bowler from Madhya Pradesh who grabbed headlines at the IPL 2026 mini-auction after being bought by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for Rs 5.20 crore. Despite being uncapped and yet to make his senior state debut, his recent performances in franchise-level domestic T20 cricket pushed his value sharply upward.
Breakout performer in domestic T20 league
Mangesh Yadav rose to prominence while playing for Gwalior Cheetahs, where he finished as the leading wicket-taker of the league. His numbers immediately stood out to IPL scouts:
- Wickets: 14
- Overs bowled: 21
- Four-wicket hauls: 3 in 6 matches
- Best figures: 4/18 in 3 overs
What impressed teams was not just the wickets, but how he took them—especially under pressure.
A left-arm pacer with a deadly yorker
Mangesh’s biggest strength is his repeatable yorker at the death, a rare and highly valued skill in T20 cricket. Bowling left-arm over the wicket, he combines:
- Pace and control
- Sharp angles into the batter
- Confidence to bowl at the death
- Ability to deliver under pressure
His spells regularly came in crunch phases, where he showed maturity beyond his experience.
Why RCB went big despite limited senior exposure
Despite his breakout tournament, Mangesh Yadav is yet to debut for senior Madhya Pradesh, which made him a slightly unconventional high-value pick. However, RCB’s investment reflects a future-focused strategy:
- Left-arm pace is a scarce commodity in Indian cricket
- Strong death-over skills fit RCB’s long-standing bowling needs
- High ceiling as a developmental player
- Can be groomed under elite coaching without immediate pressure
From a franchise perspective, he is seen as a high-upside depth pacer rather than an instant starter.
Auction dynamics
Teams like Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans were also monitoring Mangesh as a budget left-arm option, but RCB showed intent early and decisively, pushing the bid to Rs 5.20 crore—one of the notable uncapped buys of the auction.
What lies ahead for Mangesh Yadav
Mangesh Yadav’s journey is just beginning. While IPL 2026 may serve as a learning season rather than a full-fledged playing role, his signing puts him firmly on the national radar. With the right development, workload management, and exposure, he could evolve into a valuable Indian left-arm fast-bowling option in the years ahead.
For now, RCB’s Rs 5.20 crore bet signals belief in raw skill, not reputation—and Mangesh Yadav has earned that belief with performance.
