BCCI-LSG nexus exposed for mishandling Mayank Yadav’s rehab

Mayank Yadav’s long-awaited return to the IPL 2025 turned into a major letdown, and now serious questions are being asked about how his comeback was handled by the BCCI and the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).

Mayank Yadav, who rattled batters with 150 kmph thunderbolts last year, ended his IPL 2025 campaign after just two matches, and now it has emerged that he was rushed back too soon.

After being out of action due to injury for months, the young pace sensation was cleared to play after just 10-12 bowling sessions at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE).

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What’s shocking is that a chunk of these sessions were at reduced intensity, and he didn’t even reach 100% pace until late March.

Mayank Yadav's injury after IPL 2025 comeback sparks blame game

Despite that, Mayank was given the green signal to return to action in the IPL 2025. When Mayank joined the Lucknow Super Giants in mid-April, there was a buzz around his comeback. But the team played it safe and didn’t include him in the playing XI right away.

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His return finally came on April 27 against the Mumbai Indians. After just two matches, the pacer was ruled out of the tournament. Fingers are now being pointed at the BCCI’s CoE and the LSG, especially with fast bowling being their weak link this season.

Now, sources revealed that both BCCI and LSG are responsible for Mayank Yadav breaking down again.

Notably, the fast bowler was reportedly given the clearance by Dhananjay Kaushik, the new head of sports science, after barely a dozen sessions under his belt.

'It looked like mere boxes were ticked by CoE'

A source was quoted as saying by the Times of India, “For a bowler who had such a long absence from the game, it's surprising that it took the CoE just 10-12 sessions to give him a green signal. One-third of those sessions were at a reduced intensity, and he started bowling at 80-85% only towards the end of March.”

The source added, “You get a true picture only when you operate at full tilt and then take enough time to assess how the body is responding to the increased workload. That workload is gradually increased to observe and assess how the body is reacting to different levels of intensity. With Mayank, it looked like mere boxes were ticked.”

Meanwhile, when Mayank Yadav joined the LSG camp, there was a slight swelling in his back, and heavy taping was used to prevent sudden cramps. But the real worry was his speed and his bowling action.

The pace had dropped by at least 10 kmph, and instead of fiery deliveries, he relied more on slower balls and cutters, showing the pacer wasn't close to full fitness.

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Mayank Yadav's action isn't addressed yet

The source added, “It is baffling why his action isn't addressed yet. His body continues to fall towards the side after landing, and that impact will continue to add stress to his back. It is like a car running at 150 kmph and taking a sudden left turn."

"The pace that he generates is because of the natural gift of the hyperextension of the elbow of the bowling arm. Action needs to be addressed, and he needs a proper rehabilitation plan, which should have no interference from anyone—franchise, state team, or anyone.”

The Lucknow Super Giants reportedly questioned Mayank Yadav about his drop in pace and why he wasn’t bowling regularly on non-match days to stay in rhythm.

The bowler explained he was doing his best but couldn’t push beyond a limit, sticking to a routine set during his rehab at the Center of Excellence. However, that conversation is believed to have sealed his fate.

Sources revealed that LSG lost trust in his recovery and performance, and the decision to release him was made soon after. Mayank is unlikely to be retained for the next IPL season.