Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) fast bowler Mayank Yadav is expected to miss the first half of IPL 2025 due to a lumbar stress injury. He has just resumed bowling at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, where he has been undergoing rehab after sustaining the injury following his India debut in the T20I series against Bangladesh last October. His return date remains uncertain, but if he clears all fitness tests and increases his bowling workload, he could feature in the latter half of the tournament.
Mayank’s absence is a setback for LSG, who retained him for INR 11 crore ($1.31 million approx.) ahead of the mega auction. This was a huge jump from his INR 20 lakh price in the 2024 season. His ability to consistently bowl at speeds exceeding 150kph made him a key asset, earning him back-to-back Player-of-the-Match awards in his first two IPL games. His performances also secured him a place in the BCCI’s fast-bowling contracts pool.
However, injuries have plagued his career. In IPL 2024, he played only four matches due to a side strain. During rehab, he picked up another injury, delaying his comeback. He eventually returned for the Bangladesh T20Is but suffered another setback, leading to an extended recovery period. While the BCCI has not officially disclosed details, reports indicate he has a stress-related injury in his lower back.
LSG’s team director, Zaheer Khan, emphasized that the franchise is working closely with the BCCI’s medical team. He stressed that Mayank will only return when fully fit. LSG will begin their IPL 2025 campaign against Delhi Capitals on March 24 in Visakhapatnam, under new captain Rishabh Pant.
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