CHENNAI: Like any kid in the country, six-year-old Mangesh Yadav used to love playing cricket with other boys of his locality. Mother Rita Yadav, however, was averse to the idea as most of the time the game of cricket used to end with Mangesh being roughed up by fellow players, who apparently were bigger than him both in age and size.
Fed up with frequent quarrels, Rita decided to give his son company playing cricket with him at home. Who knew back then that those practice sessions with mother in the backyard at a nondescript Borgaon village of Pandhurna district in Madhya Pradesh would turn out to be a stepping stone for Mangesh's cricketing journey. And the IPL mini auction held in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday could well be said to be a significant milestone in that journey, which has only started.
The Madhya Pradesh all-rounder, who is a left-arm pacer and can consistently touch 140kmph, was bought for Rs 5.20 crore by defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru. His base price was Rs 30 lakh. It was his show at the Madhya Pradesh League that brought him under the radar of the IPL scouts. In 2024, Mangesh played for Bhopal Leopards and went on to become the leading wicket taker of the tournament by claiming 14 wickets for Gwalior Cheetahs in the next edition.
"I attended the RCB trials held at the DY Patil Stadium in the second week of December. I had bowled only a couple of balls when I heard Dinesh Karthik sir complimenting me by saying 'Well bowled Mangesh'. I was surprised and happy to know that Karthik sir knew my name," an elated Mangesh told this daily.
Karthik, mentor and batting coach of the Bengaluru franchise, later revealed to the 23-year-old southpaw that they have been following his progress since his time with the MP League. "Karthik sir also helped me correct a few mistakes I was committing while bowling. Later, I went to meet him but he was busy. I then met Andy Flower and he hinted to me that they are interested in me by saying 'We are looking forward to working with you'." A few days later, Mangesh made his state debut against Punjab in a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match.
Father a truck driver
Mangesh's father, Ramavadh Yadav, is a truck driver, who traverses the length and breadth of the country even today at the age of 55. Mangesh wants him to rest now and take care of himself and the family. "Now I can tell him to give up the work and rest at home. Whenever he drives down to cities thousand kilometres away from our home, we all get worried for him. But that is his profession and also the need of the hour. However, now he can either rest or choose something which is not risky," said Mangesh.
He hasn't spoken to his father yet but is planning to convey the message once he meets him. "I was away from home playing the SMAT for Madhya Pradesh. My family watched the auction on TV and were on cloud nine when I was picked up. My friends reached home and they celebrated a lot. Once I reach home, I will celebrate the occasion with my family. I will also speak to my father and request him to give up driving now."
Uncle comes to rescue
Mangesh's maternal uncle, Indal Yadav, who is a resident of Uttar Pradesh, was impressed with his cricketing skills and helped him shift to Noida when he was around 17. The move worked wonders as it gave Mangesh an opportunity to train under the watchful eyes of renowned coach Phoolchand Sharma. "My uncle helped me get admission in the academy of Sharma sir, who played a key role in honing my skills which eventually made me the player who I am right now."
From net bowler to player
RCB called up Mangesh a couple of years ago to serve as a net bowler. He couldn't go because of his prior commitments with the state side. He might have missed the chance to bowl to one of his favourite players, Virat Kohli, then but now will share the dressing room with him come the 2026 edition of the IPL. "That dream will soon come true. I have also played under the captaincy of Rajat (Patidar) bhaiyya for Madhya Pradesh. Now I will play under him in the IPL as well," signed off Mangesh.