Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) mentor Zaheer Khan is optimistic about Mayank Yadav playing in IPL 2025. The fiery pacer, who is injury-prone, has been recovering at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru since suffering a back injury in November 2024. Ahead of the new season, Khan spilled the beans on Mayank’s current status and what the team expects from him.
Zaheer Khan on Mayank Yadav in IPL 2025
Speaking to Times of India, Zaheer revealed that he had had some interesting conversations with the NCA on Yadav’s roadmap to recovery and fitness. He stressed that Mayank was not only important for LSG but also for the India cricket team. The ex-Indian bowler added that the team wanted Yadav 150% fit and insisted that they would do everything to ensure he reaches top fitness.
“We’ve had some interesting conversations on his roadmap to recovery and fitness with the NCA. We are working with them and hope for their support. He is not only important for LSG but also for Indian cricket. A bowler of his calibre should play consistently for a long time. I’m putting in effort and energy to give him the best environment to play longer. We want him 150% fit, so we will do everything possible to get him in top fitness,” Khan said.
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Injury after injury plagues Mayank
Mayank was first picked up in the IPL auction in 2022 by LSG. Injuries, however, forced him to skip the tournament in that season. It spilt over to the next edition as well as he sat out owing to injuries. He made his dream debut for LSG in IPL 2024, grabbing eyeballs with his fiery deliveries and his ability to bowl them consistently. However, with great speed comes more risks. And that is exactly what happened with the pacer.
In his very first IPL game, he was forced to walk off midway through the game due to an abdominal injury. He returned in the next game, only to walk off once again after bowling 3.1 overs. Yadav was then sidelined for the remainder of the tournament due to a side strain. After spending months at the NCA in Bengaluru, he made his T20I debut in IND vs BAN series, picking up two wickets. Subsequently, he sustained a back injury that saw him being ruled out not only for IND vs SA T20Is but for a long span of more than three months. He missed the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Ranji Trophy and IND vs ENG T20Is. It remains to be seen if he will be fit in time for IPL.
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