Lucknow Super Giants' (LSG) pace sensation Mayank Yadav has rejoined the squad after an extended rehabilitation stint at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence. The 22-year-old last played in October 2024 for India in a T20I against Bangladesh, but a back injury, followed by a toe issue, delayed his return. On Tuesday night, Mayank received clearance from the BCCI medical team and officially joined the LSG camp. He was originally expected to feature in the clash against Chennai Super Kings earlier this week.

Acquired for ₹11 crore, Mayank's return is being handled with caution by the LSG management. Mentor Zaheer Khan confirmed that his fitness was closely monitored and developed at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). Head coach Justin Langer also expressed his confidence in Mayank’s current form and readiness. The pacer's comeback is expected to provide a vital boost to the injury-plagued LSG pace attack, which has been facing consistent setbacks throughout the season.

Also Read: WATCH: Preety Zinta hugs Yuzvendra Chahal after Punjab Kings thrilling win against Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2025

Injuries have hampered LSG’s bowling unit, with Mohsin Khan ruled out due to a calf injury and Akash Deep and Avesh Khan joining late. As a result, Shardul Thakur has taken over the lead role in the pace department. With four wins from seven matches, LSG are currently at fifth on the IPL 2025 points table.

Watch the video of his return;

⚡ 𝐌𝐀𝐘𝐀𝐍𝐊 ⚡ 𝐘𝐀𝐃𝐀𝐕 ⚡ 𝐈𝐒 ⚡ 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊 ⚡ pic.twitter.com/c0G5p3svMA

— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) April 16, 2025

Is Mayank Yadav Fit To Play LSG vs RR Match?

Mayank Yadav, known for his raw pace and ability to trouble even the best batters, was forced to miss the early part of IPL 2025 due to injury setbacks. A recurring back issue, sustained during India’s T20I series against Bangladesh, kept him sidelined. These injuries halted his momentum just when he was emerging as one of the most promising young pacers in the country.

Now back with the Lucknow Super Giants squad, Mayank’s participation in the upcoming clash against the Rajasthan Royals is still uncertain. The franchise’s medical team, led by physio Ashish Kaushik, will thoroughly assess his fitness before making a final call. If cleared, Mayank is expected to feature in the high-stakes encounter at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Saturday evening. LSG will be hoping for a positive update, as his return could provide a much-needed boost to their injury-hit pace attack and strengthen their campaign going forward.

The young pace sensation, Mayank Yadav, is set to return to the Lucknow Super Giants after a long injury layoff in IPL 2025. According to a report by India Today, Mayank will rejoin the squad on Tuesday, April 15. The 21-year-old speedster had been sidelined due to a back injury but has now been declared fit by the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. The LSG management had retained him for ₹11 crore despite his limited appearance in the previous season.

After a promising IPL 2024 campaign, where he featured in only four matches, Mayank was expected to return by early April. However, his comeback was delayed due to an unfortunate toe injury caused by accidentally kicking a bed. Head Coach Justin Langer earlier revealed this unusual incident, which added to the team’s concern about Mayank’s availability. Thankfully, he has now completed his rehabilitation and will be assessed by the LSG coaching staff before being considered for match play.

Now medically cleared to play, the final decision on Mayank Yadav’s return to the playing XI rests with the Lucknow Super Giants’ coaching unit. They will monitor his match fitness closely in training before giving him the green light. Known for his raw pace and aggression, Mayank’s presence is expected to bolster LSG’s bowling attack significantly. Fans and team management alike are hopeful that his comeback will bring the much-needed firepower to their campaign as the tournament progresses.

🚨 GOOD NEWS FOR LUCKNOW 🚨

- Mayank Yadav is likely to join the LSG squad tomorrow. [Sports Tak] pic.twitter.com/iPfRqP1ahb

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) April 14, 2025

ALSO READ: IPL 2025: PBKS vs KKR Match 31 - A Head to Head breakdown

Mayank Yadav’s return boosts LSG ahead of crucial clash against CSK

Mayank Yadav’s return will be a significant boost for Lucknow Super Giants, especially considering the team has managed to perform impressively despite limited resources. Earlier this season, LSG brought in Shardul Thakur as a replacement player, and he has delivered a steady performance. However, it's important to remember that Shardul was brought in as a substitute for Mohsin Khan, the team’s left-arm pace option.

Currently, Lucknow Super Giants sit 4th on the IPL 2025 points table, having secured 4 wins from their 6 matches. Their upcoming clash is against Chennai Super Kings, scheduled for Monday, April 12, at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow.

After LSG’s most recent IPL 2025 encounter, head coach Justin Langer addressed the media in a post-match press conference that took a surprising spin. Just as Langer took questions on the team’s opening performance, his phone started ringing, an unintentional distraction that set off chuckles throughout the media room. “Might be Mayank calling to say he’s ready,” he quipped, warming up the crowd before delving into the less jovial news.

Mayank Yadav’s Recovery

Perhaps the most exciting thing from that press conference was Langer’s positive news of young pace prodigy Mayank Yadav. Indeed, “He’s recovering really well. The medical team is happy with his progress, and we’re hopeful of seeing him back in the squad soon,” Langer said. Yadav, who raised eyebrows this season with his raw pace, had to withdraw at the last minute due to an injury. His comeback is suddenly looking pretty good.

Also Read: IPL 2025: 3 players who can replace Rishabh Pant as LSG captain

The Role of the National Cricket Academy (NCA)

One of the positives among the many difficulties surrounding the BCCI and Indian cricket was Langer’s commendation of the BCCI’s National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, where Mayank has been rehabilitating. We hope that the NCA is indeed a center of excellence. “The NCA is truly a center of excellence. Their facilities and expertise have been instrumental in Mayank’s recovery,” Langer noted. He went on to underscore the vital role of such infrastructure in making sure players come back not just sooner but better and fully ready to play. 

Follow for more: https://www.cricketwinner.com/

A phone call in the middle of the press conference 📞

Good news on Mayank Yadav's recovery 📰

And the importance of National Cricket Academy (BCCI's COE) 👏

🎥 #LSG Head Coach, Justin Langer, has a field day at the post-match press conference 😊#TATAIPL | #LSGvMI pic.twitter.com/JAolaa5GTo

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 4, 2025

Also Read: IPL 2025: PBKS vs RR – New Chandigarh stadium stats and status preview

If fit, Mayank’s return will be a massive boost for the Lucknow side, who will hope to build some momentum as the tournament progresses towards the business end of the season. His outstanding express pace and wicket-taking ability provide a much-needed edge to their bowling attack. 

With key players getting back to full fitness and the squad continuing to play in fits and starts, any supporter of LSG has plenty of reasons to be optimistic. Langer’s entertaining press conference didn’t just provide a comedic diversion, though; it instilled optimism. This is particularly true with Mayank Yadav’s return around the corner.

IPL 2025: LSG Pacer Mayank Yadav’s Return Delayed Due to New Injury

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will begin their IPL 2025 campaign on Monday against Delhi Capitals in Visakhapatnam. But just before their first match, they’ve been hit with bad news fast bowler Mayank Yadav has suffered a new injury, delaying his return to the tournament. LSG has already been struggling with injuries to their key Indian pacers Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan, and Akash Deep.

Mohsin has been ruled out for the entire season, and on Sunday, LSG announced that all-rounder Shardul Thakur will take his place in the squad. Mayank had a dream start in IPL 2024, impressing everyone with his raw pace, regularly clocking over 150 kph, and winning the Player of the Match award in his first two games.

 But injuries have kept him away from cricket ever since. He was recovering from a back injury at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, and last week, reports suggested he could be back in the first half of April. However, on Sunday, LSG head coach Justin Langer shared that Mayank has suffered a fresh injury, pushing his return to the final week of the tournament.

LSG head coach Justin Langer revealed that their star pacer Mayank Yadav has faced another injury on his road to recovery.
........................
The young fast bowler kicked his toe on the bed and suffered an infection. His return has been further delayed due to the injury. pic.twitter.com/MKfsNOVpEx

— Indian Funda (@Raj_Royal_11) March 24, 2025

"Mayank was making good progress with his back injury, but unfortunately, he stubbed his toe on the bed and got an infection. That has delayed his recovery by a week or two," Langer explained. "But he’s back on his feet. We keep getting videos of him bowling, and I saw one just yesterday. Hopefully, he’ll be ready for the final stretch of the tournament."

Updates on Other Injured Pacers

LSG’s fast bowling department has taken a big hit with injuries. While Mohsin Khan is out for the season, there’s hope for Avesh Khan and Akash Deep. "Avesh is close to making a return. He’s expected to clear his fitness test at the NCA tomorrow, and if all goes well, he’ll be back soon. Akash Deep is also recovering well he’s bowling at 90% intensity and has completed his yo-yo test, so he’s almost there," Langer added.

ALSO READ: IPL 2025: Bhuvneshwar Kumar injury update: RCB drops hint on CSK match availability

LSG will kick off their season under their new captain Rishabh Pant, who was bought for a record ₹27 crore in last year’s mega auction. Interestingly, their first match is against Pant’s former team, Delhi Capitals.

Indian Premier League (IPL) has always been a talent nursery, and upcoming talents have been given the perfect platform to establish themselves. With the next season in 2025, some of India's budding cricketers are ready to take the spotlight. Here are ten young players who could be the next sensation in IPL 2025.

1. Vaibhav Suryavanshi (Rajasthan Royals)

At the age of just 13, Vaibhav Suryavanshi created history by being the youngest player ever picked in an IPL auction. Rajasthan Royals put their money on his big-hitting abilities, signing him up for ₹1.10 crore. Despite being very young, his raw talent has already made people compare him with some of the greatest hitters in the game.

2. Mayank Yadav (Lucknow Super Giants)

Mayank Yadav is the actual fast-bowling sensation, regularly delivering balls above 150 km/h. His aggression, bounce, and speed are already making cricket enthusiasts' hearts skip a beat, and he could well turn out to be a game-changing asset for Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2025.

3. Priyansh Arya (Punjab Kings)

A promising opening-order batsman, Priyansh Arya has been going around in the domestic circuit. Punjab Kings would hope that consistency at the shorter format finds reflection in the large format too, where he can be the final nail in nailing down their batting lineup.

4. Nitish Kumar Reddy (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

Nitish Kumar Reddy is a spine-tingling all-round option who impressed both with the bat and with the ball. He can offer dashing match-winning knocks as well as crucial overs and could be a game-changer in the Sunrisers Hyderabad. 

5. Gurjapneet Singh (Chennai Super Kings)

Chennai Super Kings do have a propensity to invest money in young and talented fast bowlers, and Gurjapneet Singh is their newest addition. Having raw pace coupled with sharp accuracy, he might prove to be a useful bowler for CSK in the next season.

ALSO SEE: IPL 2025: Cricket Experts Predict Top 4 Teams for Playoffs

6. Riyan Parag (Rajasthan Royals)

A current staple in IPL, Riyan Parag continues to grow and improve as a cricketer. His batting capabilities and efficient leg-spin contribute him to being an exciting all-round cricketer for Rajasthan Royals. It can be 2025 when he fixes in as an IPL regular with stability.

7. Harshit Rana (Kolkata Knight Riders)

A temperamental young pacer, Harshit Rana has the aggressive mindset to succeed at the highest level. With bright showings in domestic cricket to his credit, he could become a key cog in the Kolkata Knight Riders' pace unit.

8. Sai Sudharsan (Gujarat Titans)

Sai Sudharsan has already proved his worth in previous IPL seasons by impressing one with his ability to build an innings and score runs when needed. Gujarat Titans will rely on him to firm up their batting order in 2025.

9. Dhruv Jurel (Rajasthan Royals)

A  wicketkeeper-batsman, Dhruv Jurel is a pressure player. With an inclination to take bowlers on and play aggressive knocks, he is an important player for Rajasthan Royals, and he could have a breakout season in 2025.

10. Tilak Varma (Mumbai Indians)

Tilak Varma has already proved himself to be among the most promising young batting sensations in India. With his exquisite stroke play and calm attitude, Mumbai Indians will expect him to be one of their key middle-order contributors in IPL 2025.

LSG fast bowler Mayank Yadav is on doubt radars to be participate in the first half of Ipl which is going to start by March 22. Every franchise is gearing up with their teams as just two weeks time only left for the IPL tournament. In this mean time LSG camp is set to miss their premium fast bowler Mayank Yadav who was bought for 20 Lakhs at his base price in 2023. Though he was bought way earlier in 2022.

Due to his prolonged hamstring injury delaying his debut, he was bought back by Lucknow in 2023 for his base price and he made his dream debut of IPL 2024 against Punjab Kings. He just didn't debut it was a dream start for him who took 3 wickets for 27 runs and also bowled the fastest bowl of the season 155.8 kmph

Read more: Champions Trophy Celebrations Turned Into Clash In Madhya Pradesh Mhow

Injury Concerned Prolonged More

Mayank Yadav had a good debut which was no more than a good start but it did not prolong much he played only 4 matches of that season and was sidelined due to a lingering side strain in the last two matches he played. Despite the rehab, he was injured again in that process which made him delayed back in Ipl. 

Despite this, he was fast-tracked and made his T20 debut for India against Bangladesh.  In that series, he was found to carry another injury which caused him to immediate rehab recovery, though details of the injury were not shared by BCCI officials it was regulated that Mayank had caught up with a lower back injury in his left side. LSG director Zaheer Khan stated that they are closely monitoring Mayank Yadav's injury and are in no mood to bring him back nearby. 

Mayank Yadav Retained by Huge Price

Mayank Yadav is in Banglore now where he is being closely monitored as described the multiple injuries are prolonged given the advised break, it was early mentioned that he would be fit at the start of the IPL but Zaheer is in no mood to bring back Mayank as early, he says we want Mayank to be on field as he is one of our premium and important member and I didn't want an 100% fit Mayank, but want him to be 150% fit. 

Read more: Micheal Vaughan Praises Team India's White Ball Dominance Stating Them Best In The World

Though despite of his injury concerns he has been retained by LSG at a whopping price of 11 crore making him the highest bid among the uncapped players. He has earned this amount due to his maintaining pace of 150. Mayank Yadav may be available for later part of IPL which is not officiated yet by the franchise or by BCCI. 

The DY Patil T20 Cup is known to produce some exciting young cricketing talent and the latest clash with the raw pace of Mayank Yadav up against the up and coming talent that so to Tilak Varma! A closely watched moment from the game of Tilak Varma, One of the shining faces in Indian's batting line up right now and facing another burnishing young express wicket Mayank Yadav.

A Battle Of Skill And Speed

As seen in the viral moment from the match, Mayank Yadav was charging in with full intensity, clocking rapid deliveries in his spell. With the scoreboard reading 149 in 17.1 overs with a healthy count of 3 wickets down: The other batsman from Shivalik had smashed 30 off 20 and along with Varma (24 off 25) seemed set to make it an easy chase.
Despite Mayank Yadav 18 runs in 2.1 overs, but pace enough it kept batsmen at the throats Tilak Varma, who is well known for his cool bat was quicken resolved to skill full stroke play with Mayank aggressive bowling.

When starboy Tilak Varma faced raw pace of Mayank Yadav 💥 pic.twitter.com/7oj45w3XHQ

— Mumbai Indians FC (@MIPaltanFamily) March 1, 2025

Alwso Read: India vs New Zealand: Predicted Playing XI for Champions Trophy 2025

The Raise of Mayank Yadav

Mayank Yadav has been gaining momentum in domestic cricket owing to his lower-order pace, so it is a bowler to watch for. He has been touted as the next Indian speedster in his raw talent and has proven that so far in the DY Patil T20 Cup and he is all set to lead the pace revolution of future.

Tilak Varma’s Steady Approach

On the flip side, Tilak Varma looked a seasoned pro at the crease as he dealt with Mayank's bowling barrage. An experienced internationals batsman, Varma demonstrated why the lad is one of the brightest young talents in India with his big ball handling skills. What sets him apart in terms of playing any T20 game.

What It Means for Indian Cricket:

Preview of Indian Cricket Tilak Varma Vs Mayank Yadav is an engaging advert as well for what the future holds in Indian cricket Too when young fast bowlers like Mayank comes up with a new sipping game and at the same time batters like Tilak continue improving those high quality bowling faced to him. Not only pace but even bat, contests such as these are the reason cricket diehards tune in for this tournament.

Fans want to see more of that sort of clash in the DY Patil T20 Cup as it churns on and more and more of the future Indian cricket stars come together. Whether raw pace, or proficient bat however contests like these gives true cricket fan who are dated and will keep watch on the tournament.

The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) squad boasts an excellent balance of youth and experience and some unique assets. Prior to the auction, LSG had retained a total of five players, summing up their reliable and pivotal core. They retained Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan, Mayank Yadav, Nicholas Pooran, and Ayush Badoni. As a result, the team's core structure regarding how LSG intended to proceed had already been established.

In addition, the Uttar Pradesh-based arsenal also created history at the Indian Premier League 2025 super auction by acquiring Team India's reliable keeper batter, Rishabh Pant, for a colossal INR 27 Crore, making him the most expensive player ever purchased in the history of IPL. LSG fell head over heels for Pant after releasing KL Rahul, who commanded the team for three seasons, leading them to two consecutive playoffs. That said, here we look over the two strengths and one weakness of the 2025 LSG squad. 

Lucknow Supergiants 2025 IPL Squad: Nicholas Pooran, Mayank Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Ayush Badoni, Mohsin Khan, Rishabh Pant, Avesh Khan, David Miller, Shahbaz Ahmed, Abdul Samad, Akash Deep, Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Matthew Breetzke, Shamar Joseph, M Siddharth, Himmat Singh, Arshin Kulkarni, Digvesh Singh, Prince Yadav, Yuvraj Chaudhary, Akash Singh, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Aryan Juyal.

2 Strengths:

Top-notch and promising overseas players

Apart from the swashbuckling Caribbean wicketkeeper-batter Nicholas Pooran, who has been a consistent contributor for the Lucknow-based side, the roster includes other talented international players, such as David Miller, who will bat in the middle with Mitch Marsh and Aiden Markram. Almost all foreign players are utility players who may be draughted into the XI, depending on the field circumstances.

On paper, LSG has one of the league's finest international players, and it will be intriguing to watch how they deploy them all. Marsh can open and bat in the middle of the order. Similarly, Markram can open and contribute quality four overs.

An army of power-hitters

The Lucknow Super Giants' batting lineup has some of the best power hitters. Rishabh Pant, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, David Miller, and Ayush Badoni are key players with the bat. They can easily smash intense lengths and baffling spins, aiming for relatively long square borders in home games. As a result, LSG should be one of the stronger teams in terms of pace next season.

They are led by two of the game's top power hitters, Rishabh Pant and Nicholas Pooran. Both floaters may switch between batting positions depending on the match scenario. The West Indian batter is, without a doubt, the best white-ball ball striker. Add Pant's flamboyance to the mixture and LSG, making him everyone's favourite in the aggressive batters category. 

1 Weakness:

Bleak and inexperienced pace attack

LSG's first-choice pacers will include Shamar Joseph, Mayank Yadav, Akashdeep Singh, and Mohsin Khan. But if any of them are injured, LSG's pace assault will weaken, forcing them to settle for less effective choices. Though Mayank Yadav is a promising campaigner for the Indian Cricket team, thanks to his lethal pace, his consistency and agility will be under the radar for his future performance.

Meanwhile, Mohsin Khan, Shamar Joseph and Akashdeep Singh possess impeccable pace. However, their experience in the shortest game format amongst the power-hitters would be scrutinised, making it a quality unit that lacked understanding. Only time will tell about how much impact they would create with quick deliveries.

Many young cricketers rose to prominence in 2024, with outstanding performances across all forms. Among them, five players stood out for their promising performances on the big stage, implying that they may be the future foundation of Indian cricket.

Overall, the Indian cricket team has been a thorough breeding ground for fresh and developing talent, making an influence in the most effective manner conceivable.

It is no surprise to find the current and prominent emerging players who would play a decisive role in earning India's probable future ICC titles, tournaments or bilateral series wins. That said, here's a list of the top five debutants from the Indian Cricket Team, the 2024 edition.

The upcoming 2025 IPL edition will see a Mega Auction with all ten franchises undergoing a significant restructuring. The recent announcement of the retention lists has been a talking point amongst several cricket fanatics, as there has been a mix of both expected and unexpected names getting released.

As it implies, there have been many critics who have got a mixed bag of opinions pertaining to the retained names across all the teams, be it relating to the amount paid for its retention or some shocking releases. That said, here are the five worst retentions made by the teams before the 2025 IPL Mega Auction, based on their performance and price point.

Shimron Hetmyer (Rajasthan Royals- INR 11 Crore)

Shimron Hetmyer, the Caribbean swashbuckling bat for the Rajasthan Royals, made another, despite having international talents like Jos Buttler, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Trent Boult on their roster. This is one of the most perplexing retentions by the inaugural champions, considering whether his INR 11 Crore price tag justifies his cricketing abilities.

With colossal options and no Right-to-Match cards available now, it is one of the worst retentions that hasn't given its reasons for staying with the team. In his 2024 stint, he has made just 113 runs in 12 matches, averaging a mediocre 23. 

Dhruv Jurel (Rajasthan Royals- INR 14 Crore)

The Rajasthan Royals took an unusual yet brave step by keeping uncapped wicketkeeper-batsman Dhruv Jurel for a whopping INR 14 crore ahead of the IPL 2025. Just to Shimron Hetmyer's retention dilemma, the Royals had a plethora of seasoned and superior combatants at their disposal.

Various critics have questioned Jurel's retention. Though the batter has played an essential part in fortifying his middle order, his price does not appear justified. He has scored just 195 runs in 14 matches for the Rajasthan Royals in 2024, with an average of more than 25.  

Mayank Yadav (Lucknow Super Giants- INR 11 Crore)

Mayank Yadav demonstrated his abilities in his first IPL season, becoming a budding star with Lucknow SuperGiants. So, given his quick bowling, the SuperGiants kept him for a staggering INR 11 crore. Typically, if a team pays such a large sum to a fast bowler, it expects him to lead the bowling department. Mayank has all the potential to spearhead LSG's pace battery, but as a hit-the-deck bowler, he is prone to back injuries.

Also, he recently returned from an injury that kept him out of the IPL 2024. With so many possibilities in the big auction pool, the Super Giants might have dragged him back at a lesser price. This deal appears to be motivated by desperation and might have been done more effectively. In his 2024 stint, he has scalped seven wickets at an impeccable economy of less than seven in just four appearances.

Also Read: IPL 2025: Top 5 Best Retentions during the 2025 IPL Mega Auction

Ravindra Jadeja (Chennai Super Kings- INR 18 Crore)

Ravindra Jadeja, the dependable Indian all-rounder, has been a part of every aspect of the Chennai Super Kings' journey, demonstrating his importance to the Yellove Army. However, given his age and athleticism, his INR 18 crore price tag is quite surprising. Jadeja, a true all-rounder, has recently been sidelined by a problematic knee, which the Super Kings must have known about.

The franchise could have paid Jadeja less, conserving money for the big auction or investing in other youngsters or other promising players on the roster, especially with the likes of Rachin Ravindran, Maheesh Theekshana and Devon Conway. During his 2024 edition spell, he played 14 matches, scoring 267 runs and taking eight wickets.

Yash Dayal (Royal Challengers Bengaluru- INR 5 Crore)

Yash Dayal, the fast-paced player, has been retained by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for INR 5 crore ahead of the 2025 IPL season. This move created news, especially since the club released its quick stalwart, Mohammed Siraj, making him one of the franchise's mediocre retention choices. The left-arm pacer has experienced a roller coaster ride in the cash-rich league thus far.

Many people believed his career would never recover after Rinku Singh smacked him for five consecutive sixes in the IPL 2023. However, RCB's trust in the left-arm bowler throughout the 2024 season, notably in a vital match against Chennai Super Kings, led to his breakout moment. In the 2024 edition, he took 15 wickets in 14 games.