Bengaluru: Mayank Yadavthe express pacer who clocked 156.7 kmph and took IPL by storm last season, is finally nearing a return, with Lucknow Super Giants clarifying the reasons behind his absence in IPL 2026.
Not injured, just not match-ready
Putting an end to speculation, LSG’s Global Director of Cricket Tom Moody revealed that Mayank’s absence was not due to injurybut rather a lack of match readiness.
“He was still a little underdone — not from a fitness point of view — but in terms of bowling loads and rhythm,” Moody explained.
Despite being physically fit, the young pacer needed time to:
- Build bowling workload
- Regain match rhythm
- Feel fully confident at competitive intensity
Injury-hit journey
Mayank’s rise has been exciting but interrupted:
- Burst onto the scene in IPL 2025 with extreme pace
- Played only two matches before injury setback
- Last appearance: May 4 vs Punjab Kings
- Spent months in rehabilitation and recovery
His raw pace and wicket-taking ability made him one of the most talked-about young fast bowlers in the league.
“Now ready, but selection headache”
Moody confirmed that Mayank is now ready for selectionbut his return isn’t straightforward.
“He has worked exceptionally hard. We feel he is now at that point.”
However, there’s a twist:
- LSG’s bowling unit has performed well
- The team’s main issue has been batting, not bowling
- Bringing Mayank in could disrupt a settled attack
This creates a selection dilemma for the team management.
Spotted in nets before RCB clash
According to reports, Mayank was seen:
- Doing spot bowling
- Training at M Chinnaswamy Stadium
- Preparing ahead of clash with Royal Challengers Bengaluru
This strongly संकेत that his comeback could be imminent.
LSG’s current position
Lucknow’s campaign so far:
- Position: 7th on points table
- Strength: Consistent bowling attack
- Weakness: Inconsistent batting output
The team will be aiming to improve their standings with a strong performance against RCB.
What next for Mayank?
All signs suggest that:
- He is fully fit and match-ready
- A return could happen very soon
- Team balance will decide when he gets picked
If included, Mayank Yadav’s pace could add a new dimension to LSG’s attack — and potentially reignite the excitement he created with his 150+ kmph spells.
Comments are closed.