Mayank Yadav marked his return to the pitch with a promising performance for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) against Mumbai Indians (MI), following a six-month hiatus due to injury. LSG mentor Zaheer Khan expressed confidence in Yadav’s progress, stating there’s a “plan in place” to optimise his role within the team, guided by the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence.
In an intense match where LSG bowed out with a 54-run loss at the famed Wankhede, Yadav showed promise. Opening the bowling, he claimed two crucial wickets, dismissing Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya, and recorded figures of 2 for 40 in his four-over spell. Zaheer, reflecting on this, noted, “It’s about going and executing and doing the job for the team.”
Despite the setback against MI, hopes are high for Yadav’s future contributions. Retained by LSG pre-IPL 2025, his recent return came after battling a back injury and a minor infection. “You’ve seen with him in the last one, one-and-a-half years [that] when you come in and bowl, and then have these setbacks, it can play on your mind as well,” Zaheer explained.
Twice listed among substitutes, Yadav finally got his chance when LSG opted to bowl first. He reached a speed of 142.7kph, not quite returning to his pre-injury velocity. His initial overs saw him adjust his tactic following consecutive sixes hit by Rohit, eventually outsmarting him with a slower, wider delivery. Later, he clean-bowled Hardik with a sharp in-swinger.
Zaheer believes Yadav is overcoming significant hurdles. “The wait was long, and for anyone who’s playing after so many months, to get back into the game is always that one hurdle which one needs to cross as a bowler,” he stated.
In time, as Yadav adheres to tailored training regimens, his resilience and adaptability are expected to enhance, offering LSG a strategic advantage. Acknowledging the demanding nature of fast bowling, Zaheer remains optimistic about Yadav’s trajectory, emphasising the importance of patience and ongoing support from the coaching team.
