Mayank Yadav has returned to the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) squad, giving the team a major boost ahead of their next IPL 2025 match against the Rajasthan Royals. The 22-year-old pacer had been out of action since making his international debut last year, where he played three T20 matches against Bangladesh at home.
Since then, he missed the entire domestic season due to a back injury and was undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. LSG confirmed his return with a special video on social media, captioned “Mayank Yadav is back”. His comeback comes at a crucial time as LSG aims to strengthen its bowling attack for the rest of the tournament.
Injury Struggles and Recovery
Mayank Yadav’s return has been delayed by a series of injuries. He was close to coming back earlier this season but suffered a toe injury after stubbing it against his bed. This unexpected injury led to an infection, which further postponed his comeback. Despite these setbacks, there was growing optimism about his recovery.
LSG head coach Justin Langer had earlier expressed confidence in Mayank’s progress. He shared that Mayank was bowling at 90 to 95 percent intensity during a training session at the National Cricket Academy and said it was a positive sign not just for LSG but for Indian cricket as well. Mayank’s raw pace made headlines last season when he regularly bowled at speeds over 150 km/h and impressed everyone with his wicket-taking skills.
Crucial Addition to LSG’s Bowling Unit
Mayank’s return comes at a time when LSG has been dealing with a weakened bowling lineup. The team began the season without key bowlers like Mohsin Khan, Mayank himself, Avesh Khan, and Akash Deep. To cope with this, the franchise signed veteran Shardul Thakur, who has performed well.
Avesh Khan and Akash Deep have since joined the team and contributed in several games. Despite these challenges, LSG has managed to remain competitive and currently sits fifth in the IPL 2025 points table with four wins from seven matches. With Mayank rejoining the squad, LSG’s bowling unit is expected to be stronger as they prepare for their next match against Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur on Saturday.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.