Mayank Yadav Set to Miss First Half of IPL 2025 Due to Injury
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) fast bowler Mayank Yadav is facing a setback as he is expected to miss the first half of the upcoming IPL 2025 season. Reports from ESPNcricinfo reveal that Mayank is currently recovering from a lumbar stress injury and has recently resumed bowling at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. This injury came after his India debut in the T20I series against Bangladesh last October, limiting his participation to just four matches in the IPL 2024 season.
### Road to Recovery and Potential Return
Mayank’s return timeline remains uncertain as the BCCI has not yet provided a definitive date for his comeback. However, if he successfully meets all the necessary fitness benchmarks and gradually increases his bowling workload, there is a possibility that he could make a comeback in the latter half of the IPL 2025 tournament. This news comes as a blow to LSG, who retained Mayank for a whopping INR 11 crore ($1.31 million approx.) ahead of the mega auction, showcasing their confidence in his abilities.
Mayank’s meteoric rise in terms of salary is attributed to his exceptional pace-bowling skills, consistently clocking speeds of over 150kph, which earned him Player-of-the-Match accolades in his initial IPL appearances. Recognizing his potential, the national selectors included Mayank in the pool of quick bowlers under fast-bowling contracts, emphasizing his promising talent and impact on the field.
### Zaheer Khan’s Insight and Team’s Perspective
Former India fast bowler Zaheer Khan, now serving as LSG’s team director, has emphasized the importance of Mayank’s full recovery before returning to competitive cricket. Zaheer stated that the franchise is closely collaborating with the BCCI’s medical team to devise a comprehensive plan for Mayank’s rehabilitation and eventual comeback. Stressing the significance of Mayank’s overall fitness, Zaheer highlighted the team’s commitment to ensuring his complete recovery, stating, “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.”
LSG is scheduled to kick off their IPL 2025 campaign against Delhi Capitals on March 24 in Visakhapatnam, with Rishabh Pant leading the team as the new captain. Despite Mayank’s absence in the initial matches, the team remains hopeful for his return in the latter stages of the tournament, anticipating his impactful presence on the field.
Nagraj Gollapudi, the news editor at ESPNcricinfo, sheds light on Mayank Yadav’s ongoing recovery journey and the strategic approach adopted by LSG and the BCCI to facilitate his seamless return to competitive cricket. Stay tuned for further updates on Mayank’s progress and potential comeback as the IPL 2025 season unfolds.
The rewritten article provides a detailed insight into Mayank Yadav’s injury setback and the subsequent impact on his participation in the IPL 2025 season. It highlights the critical details surrounding his recovery process, the support from the team management, and the expectations for his eventual return to the field.
