India’s 156.7 kmph pace prodigy, Mayank Yadav, anticipated to be a key player for the T20 World Cup, has suffered a setback. He is ruled out of IPL 2024 due to a hip tightness issue. Lucknow Super Giants’ head coach, Justin Langer, disclosed that Yadav will miss the upcoming two matches against Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders.
The team is banking on his swift recovery to have him back in action for the match against Chennai Super Kings on April 19.
Team’s Pace Strategy Hit as Management Watches Mayank’s Recovery, T20 World Cup in Doubt
Yadav’s absence is a significant blow to the team’s pace attack and their overall strategy for the tournament. The management is closely monitoring his progress and remains optimistic about his return to full fitness soon. However, his absence raises concerns about his availability and form for the upcoming T20 World Cup, casting a shadow over India’s prospects in the tournament.
“That’s the plan (to have Mayank fit for the match against Chennai Super Kings on April 19). We want him to play every game if possible,” Langer said on the eve of the game against DC.
“But he’ll be working towards it; he’s working very hard every day to be ready for whatever our next game is. He won’t play tomorrow, it’s unlikely… with the very short turnaround, it’s unlikely that he plays these two games. But he’s certainly working towards playing whenever he possibly can.”
Mayank, who gained rapid fame by consistently bowling over 150kmph on his IPL debut, was forced to leave the field after delivering just one over against Gujarat Titans last Sunday.
“He felt a little bit of tightness at the top of his hip leading into the last game, but that was about a one-out-of-ten pain, and we thought that they were clinical signs,” Langer said.
“Everything through the doctors and the physios seemed perfectly okay. He bowled that first over (against Titans) and started feeling something in his hip. But we had an MRI scan, and there is a very, very small swelling in there. So we are very hopeful he’ll start building himself up and be back bowling again soon,” added the former Australian opener.
Langer provided an update on the fitness of left-arm pacer Mohsin Khan, who has been sidelined for the team’s previous two matches due to injury.
“He’s out there bowling now. He had a little bit of disc flare up in his back. He and Mayank are very important to us. He’s gone through all the treatment – it’s really good to have an excellent medical staff. He’s bowling today in the middle, He might be available tomorrow, but more than likely – and hopefully – we’ll be looking at the Kolkata game, where that extra pace will be valuable. But he’s on the right path – fingers crossed,” he added.
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