Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) fans, brace yourselves. The electrifying fast bowler, Mayank Yadav, is set to miss the first half of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. This news comes as a blow for the franchise, which had high hopes for the young pacer following his impressive performances.

Mayank, known for his blistering pace, is currently recovering from a lumbar stress injury. He has just resumed bowling at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. He has been undergoing rehab after sustaining an injury following his India debut in the T20I series against Bangladesh last October.

Injury Setback for LSG

The injury, which appears to be a stress-related issue in his lower back, has delayed his comeback. While the BCCI has not given a firm date for Mayank's return, the chances of his return will depend on how quickly he recovers and meets fitness standards.

This absence is particularly tough for LSG. They retained Mayank for a substantial INR 11 crore ($1.31 million approx.) ahead of the mega auction, a huge increase from the INR 20 lakh he was bought for in 2024.

Mayank's Impact and Potential

Mayank's ability to bowl at speeds exceeding 150 kph-plus consistently caught everyone's attention. He earned back-to-back Player-of-the-Match awards in his first two IPL matches. His potential was so impressive that national selectors included him in the pool of quicks given fast-bowling contracts.

Looking Ahead

• LSG's first match of the IPL 2025 season is against Delhi Capitals on March 24 in Visakhapatnam.
• Zaheer Khan, LSG's team director, is working closely with the BCCI's medical team to help Mayank's return.
• The possibility of Mayank returning in the latter half of the season depends on his fitness.

This injury is a setback, but the team and fans hope for Mayank's speedy recovery and return to the field, where he can once again unleash his speed and talent.