Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are likely to miss out on having Mayank Yadav for the first half of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. As per reports on ESPNCricinfo, Mayank Yadav is yet to recover from a lumbar stress injury. After sustaining a back injury following his debut for India in the T20I series against Bangladesh last year, Mayank Yadav 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 speedster Mayank Yadav will make a comeback, but reports mentioned that if he meets the fitness guidelines, he could well be available to play for the Super Giants in the second half of the IPL.
Mayank Yadav The Delhi-based pacer was signed by LSG for Rs 20 lakh in the IPL 2023 auction, but he missed the first season due to injury. He made his IPL debut this year against the Punjab Kings and caught everyone’s attention with his raw pace. He was, however, only able to play four matches in the IPL 2024 before being ruled out of the tournament due to injury.
Mayank Yadav career as a sensational bowler for LSG IN 2024 and a bright prospect for Indian future
India usually is not known for fast bowlers, but there have been a few who have grabbed the eyeball of the entire cricket fraternity. One among them is young Delhi pacer Mayank Yadav. The fast bowler showed his potential to the World in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 while playing for the Lucknow Super Giants.
Mayank Yadav, touted as the fastest bowler in India, oozed his class with the ball in a few games that he played in the league. The fast bowler could play just three games and then was ruled out of the tournament. However, the three games were enough for him to make the impact he would’ve wanted.
Mayank Yadav made everyone stand and applaud for his heroics. The fast bowler in the game against Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru wreaked havoc and won two Player of the Match awards in the first two games that he played.
Mayank Yadav consistently clocked around 155 kmph and troubled the batters big time. The fast bowler made batters dance to his tune and snatched the victory for his team from the jaws of defeat. However, after that, he got injured, and since then, he has been at the NCA, getting fit.
Mayank Yadav also hasn’t been named in the Duleep Trophy 2024. Recently, Jay Shah was asked about the pacer’s entry into the Indian team. However, the BCCI secretary said that there’s no guarantee about his place as the fast bowler is still recovering from the injury.
The 22-year-old, playing for LSG consistently breached the 150 kmph mark in the 4 matches that he bowled in, leaving seasoned batsmen bewildered. In his debut match against PBKS, Mayank clocked a speed of 155.8 kmph, the fastest ball of IPL 2024 at that point. He took three wickets, including those of Jonny Bairstow and Prabhsimran Singh, and was instrumental in LSG’s victory. This performance was not a one-off, as he continued to impress against RCB, where he clocked a speed of 156.7 kmph, the fastest delivery in IPL 2024.
After a sensational debut in the Indian Premier League’s 2024 season, things have been eerily quiet for Mayank Yadav. The young pace sensation from Delhi who took the world by storm with his exceptional speed and accuracy has not played a single match since the conclusion of the tournament. Despite the back-to-back sensational outings to begin his IPL career, Mayank Yadav played only two more games before being sidelined by an abdominal strain injury.
The Delhi-born youngster displayed a rare combination of speed and accuracy in the limited time, picking up seven wickets in four matches at an average of 12.14 and an economy of under 7. Despite playing 17 first-class and 14 T20 games, Mayank Yadav has played only the lone first-class encounter for Delhi. But in his limited appearances, Mayank Yadav made headlines and caught everyone’s attention.
Mayank Yadav’s troubles with injuries a setback for Lucknow Super Giants
Mayank Yadav has had his fair share of trouble with injuries in the last 12 months. Last season, the speedster hogged the limelight after bowling at speeds of around 155 on a consistent basis. After missing the 2023 season due to injury, Mayank Yadav picked up three wickets on debut last year against the Punjab Kings. In the very next game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), he picked up three wickets to win back-to-back Player of the Match awards.
But his campaign was limited to only four matches due to a side strain. Despite not being available for most part of last season, LSG showed faith in him and retained him for INR 11 crore before the mega auction that took place in November
Mayank Yadav’s unavailability in the first half of the tournament is a setback for LSG, who had retained him for INR 11 crore ($1.31 million approx.) ahead of the mega auction. It was an astronomical leap monetarily for Mayank who had been bought for INR 20 lakh ahead of the 2024 season as an uncapped fast bowler.
Mayank Yadav commanded such a huge salary primarily because of his ability to bowl at breakneck speeds, crossing 150kph-plus consistently, which earned him back-to-back Player-of-the-Match awards in his first two matches in the IPL. Encouraged by his potential talent, the national selectors added Mayank Yadav to the pool of quicks given fast-bowling contracts.
Mayank Yadav’s time in IPL 2024 was limited to just four matches due to a lingering side strain in the last two matches he played. During rehab, Mayank Yadav picked a separate injury which delayed his comeback but he eventually played the Bangladesh T20Is. However, he picked up another injury immediately after which forced him to return to rehab. While the BCCI has not officially shared details on Mayank’s injury, it is understood that Mayank Yadav has a stress-related injury in his lower back on the left-hand side.
Mayank Yadav was injured following his debut for India in the T20I series against Bangladesh in October 2024. The BCCI is yet to give the pacer fitness clearance. The pacer impressed everyone with his speed in the four matches he played last year in the cash-rich league. The report states that if Mayank Yadav meets all the parameters while increasing his workload, he can play in the latter half of IPL 2025, provided BCCI gives him the go-ahead.
LSG Team director Zaheer Khan is keen that Mayank Yadav could make a comeback in IPL season 2025
In February 2025, Zaheer Khan, who recently took over as the franchise’s team director, said LSG will work closely with the BCCI’s medical team to chalk out a roadmap for Mayank Yadav’s fitness. In the meantime, Zaheer Khan, who was appointed as LSG’s Director of Cricket, said that the team has been working hard with Mayank on when the pacer could make a comeback after attaining 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.
LSG are set to play their first match of the season against Delhi Capitals on March 24 in Visakhapatnam, under new captain Rishabh Pant.