Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will kick off their IPL 2025 campaign on Monday against Delhi Capitals in Visakhapatnam. However, just before the match, LSG faced a setback as fast bowler Mayank Yadav picked up a new injury, putting his comeback to the IPL on hold.
Lucknow’s pre-season has been troubled by injuries to four key Indian fast bowlers: Mayank, Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan, and Akash Deep. Mohsin has been ruled out of the season, and on Sunday, LSG announced that all-rounder Shardul Thakur will replace him.
Mayank had impressed everyone last IPL season with his ability to consistently bowl at 150kph and even won the Player of the Match award in his first two games. However, he has been struggling with injuries since then. While he was recovering from a back injury at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, reports last week suggested that he might return to the league in the first half of April. But on Sunday, LSG head coach Justin Langer said that Mayank has suffered a new injury and will now be available only in the final week of the tournament.
“Mayank, who everyone was very excited about last year, he was going quite well (coming back from a back injury), and he kicked his toe on the bed,” Langer said. “He got an infection in his toe. It’s put his rehab back about a week or two weeks. But he’s up and running. We regularly see videos of him bowling. I saw a video of his yesterday. So, hopefully by the back end of the tournament, Mayank will be up and ready to go for us,” said Langer.
Langer shares update on other fast bowlers
Lucknow’s pace attack has suffered a big setback with injuries to Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan, and Akash Deep. Mohsin has already been ruled out for the season, but coach Justin Langer mentioned that Avesh and Akash are recovering well and making good progress.
“Unfortunately, I think Mohsin sustained a small calf injury in his rehab. So, knowing that we had four guys out, we had to make that tough call on Mohsin. We think Avesh Khan will pass his right to play tomorrow morning through the NCA. So, if that’s the case, then he’ll be back sooner rather than later. Akash Deep is up and running, and bowling at about 90% now. I believe he’s done his yo-yo test. So, he’s really ticking off all the boxes,” said Langer.
LSG will begin their IPL season on Monday, led by their new captain Rishabh Pant, who was bought for a record ₹27 crore at last year’s mega auction. Interestingly, Pant will face his former team, Delhi Capitals, in the opening match.
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