Who is Mumbai Indians' 6'8" giant Marco Jansen?

In the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, Kyle Jamieson will not be the only player who is a gigantic 6'8". Mumbai Indians (MI) too have a tall, lanky fast bowler of the same height, who could surprise a few with his performance. The 20-year-old Marco Jansen, bought for INR 20 lakh in the auction, made his debut against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the first game of the season. Here's a look at some interesting facts about him. 

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

Beat Virat Kohli thrice in a row in the nets: South Africa took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series when the action shifted to the third Test at the Wanderers. Virat Kohli's majestic 153 went in vain in the second Test as South Africa cruised to an easy win. Ahead of the third Test, Kohli came up against a 17-year-old left-arm pacer Marco Jansen, who beat his bat thrice outside off.

Twin brother: Just like Marco, his twin brother Duan too is a left-arm pacer, but represents the Knights in the South African domestic set up, while Marco represents the Warriors. Marco is 15 minutes younger than Duan.

Father: Jansen's father Koos was a former rugby union player, where he represented the Free State Cheetahs.

A wicket-taker: Jansen finished as the Warriors' highest wicket-taker in the 2020-21 4-day franchise series, in which he picked up 23 wickets at 26.43 from six matches. However, he did not impress in the domestic T20 tournament that season, managing just four wickets from six matches at an economy rate of 7.33. In his only Under-19 ODI, he picked up four wickets for 23 against Afghanistan in Karyavottam (Kerala) in a tri-series, which also featured India. 

Test call-up: With just 12 First-Class matches to his name, Jansen got his maiden Test call-up when he was picked for the Test series against Pakistan in the subcontinent earlier this year, replacing Ottneil Baartman.

No Mug with the bat: When Jansen was just nine, he scored an unbeaten 164 in a school match opening the innings, while his brother Duan, who came in at four and smacked more than 80. Realising their special talent, the twins' father encouraged them further.

MI come calling: MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene revealed that they scouted Jansen for three years before finally deciding to bid for him in the IPL 2021 auction. “We have monitored him for the last three years. Then he was a 17-18 year old. We kept monitoring him and picked him the same time he was picked for South Africa. It’s just pure hard work and finding the right people who have the ability to pick talent," Jayawardene said.

(Photo Courtesy: Crictoday)