Indian pace bowler Mayank Yadav has resumed net practice, raising hopes for his participation in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are awaiting clearance from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding his fitness.
Yadav, who sustained a lumbar stress injury, has been undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru following his injury during his debut T20I series for India against Bangladesh last October. He recently shared a video on his Instagram account showing him bowling in the nets, observed by the support staff.
Reports suggest that while he might miss the initial part of IPL 2025, this recent progress suggests a possibility of his earlier comeback, which would be welcome news for Lucknow supporters.
The young cricketer, aged 22, made a significant impact in his debut IPL season last year, consistently bowling at speeds exceeding 150 kmph. In the previous season, he played four matches, taking seven wickets and earning two consecutive Player of the Match awards before being sidelined due to injury.
Following his IPL performance, Yadav debuted for India in T20Is against Bangladesh, claiming four wickets in three matches before his injury.
LSG retained Yadav for a substantial amount of Rs 11 crore before the previous mega auction, recognizing his potential after his impressive IPL season. He was initially signed by Lucknow for Rs 20 lakh before the 2024 season as an uncapped fast bowler.
While the BCCI has not officially released detailed information about Yadav’s injury, it is understood to be a stress-related issue in his lower back, specifically on the left side.
Zaheer Khan, former Indian fast bowler and current team director for LSG, mentioned in February that the franchise is working closely with the BCCI’s medical team for Mayank’s recovery plan. He emphasized that Yadav’s return to play would only be considered once he achieves full fitness.
Khan stated, “We are very eager to have him play in IPL 2025, but ensuring he is 150% fit, not just 100%, is our priority. We are committed to doing everything possible to get him to that fitness level.”
LSG is scheduled to commence their season against Delhi Capitals on March 24 in Visakhapatnam.
