IPL 2021: Mumbai Indians debutant Marco Jansen shares history with Virat Kohli

IPL 2021: Mumbai Indians debutant Marco Jansen shares history with Virat Kohli (Twitter)

It turned out to be a special moment for young 20-year-old Marco Jansen as he made his Indian Premier League debut in the season opener against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Friday. The South African pacer was purchased by the defending champions for his base price of Rs 20 lakh at the mini-auction held in February this year. 

A special moment! 

Our pacer Marco Jansen makes his #IPL debut tonight! #OneFamily #MumbaiIndians #MI #MIvRCB #IPL2021 pic.twitter.com/IYskNDKBAi

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) April 9, 2021

Jansen is a very raw cricketer and has just first-class experience under his kitty but shares a history with opposition skipper Virat Kohli.  

As per a report in ESPNcricinfo, 17-year-old Jansen had beated Kohli thrice in a row, while bowling at nets during India's tour of South Africa in early 2018. 

Zaheer Khan, the director of cricket operations of Mumbai Indians, had said that the franchise had expected a bidding war for the South Africa, while team owner Akash Ambani mentioned that they had been tracking the bowler for almost two years before signing him up.  

In 2018, an unknown 17 yr old beat Virat Kohli a few times during net practice in Johannesburg. 3 yrs later, Marco Jansen will be bowling to VK in a proper match. #RCBvMI pic.twitter.com/4NY4nIlPrx — Nikhil Naz (@NikhilNaz) April 9, 2021

Owing to his effective performance in South Africa's domestic circuit, Jansen was also included in their national squad for the tour to Pakistan, held earlier this year. 

Meanwhile, former Chennai Super Kings player Subramaniam Badrinath and renowned cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle lauded Jansen's selection in the side. 

We know #MI have the ability to unearth talent , now Marco Jansen ..?
Wait and see ... #MIvRCB #IPL2021 — S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath) April 9, 2021

Really looking forward to seeing Marco Jansen bowl. Good choice to throw him in early in the tournament — Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 9, 2021

Badrinath in his tweet said that Mumbai Indians have the ability to unearth talent, while Bhogle opined that the franchise did the right thing by giving the youngster a chance so early in the tournament.