Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) could be missing the services of tearaway speedster Mayank Yadav for the first half of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. The talented youngster made a mark last season by bowling at awe-inspiring speeds to unsettle opposition batters. He went on to make his debut for the national team later in the year in a T20I series against Bangladesh.
According to reports on ESPNcricinfo, Mayank has yet to recover from a lumbar stress injury. After suffering a back injury following his India debut, Mayank underwent rehabilitation at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru and has resumed bowling only recently.
There is no fixed time as to when the fast bowler will return to the IPL. However, reports mentioned that if he meets the fitness guidelines, he could well be available to represent the Super Giants in the second half of the IPL.
Mayank has had his struggles with injuries in recent times. He missed IPL 2023 due to injury, but he returned last season and bagged three wickets on his debut against Punjab Kings. In the following game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Mayank once again picked up a three-for. The right-arm pacer was adjudged Player of the Match in both games. His ability to bowl consistently at speeds of more than 150 kph caught the attention of the cricket fraternity.
However, he could only play four matches in IPL 2024 due to a side strain. Despite not being available for most of last season, the LSG management showed faith in him and retained him for INR 11 crore before the mega-auction that took place in November in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Zaheer Khan, who was appointed as LSG’s Director of Cricket, asserted that the franchise has been working tirelessly with Mayank on when the seamer could make a comeback after returning to full fitness.
"As much as we are keen on having him [play IPL 2025], we want him 150% fit not just 100% fit so we'll do everything possible to get him there," Zaheer had said.
Under a new captain, Rishabh Pant, Lucknow will set sail in IPL 2025 on Monday, March 24, when they take on Delhi Capitals at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam. The Super Giants finished seventh in IPL 2024 after making it to the playoffs in the two previous seasons. They have assembled a strong side at the mega-auction and will look to go the distance this year.
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