Ex-RCB coach plots last-minute exit of Mayank Yadav from LSG ahead of IPL Auction

Former Indian coach Sanjay Bangar has expressed surprise at the IPL franchise LSG retaining pacer Mayank Yadav despite the bowler suffering from major injuries. The shock comes after they already have Mohammed Shami, Avesh Khan, Mohsin Khan, and also Prince Yadav on the side.

The IPL franchises have all revealed their squad retentions, and Lucknow Super Giants decided to move on from IPL veteran David Miller after he failed to perform convincingly last season. The batting does not need much doing, but the bowling does.

Lucknow Super Giants let go of Ravi Bishnoi since he failed to be promising, and Digvesh Rathi took his position as the first-choice spinner; however, they retained all their Indian pace options, despite several of them missing out on the previous season due to injury.

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"Shami and Mohsin give a good mix of left-hand and right-hand combinations" - Sanjay Bangar

Lucknow Super Giants started off the trade with Shardul Thakur's release and instead brought Mohammed Shami from the Sunrisers Hyderabad. It might be considered that Shami will find the ideal conditions to bowl in the pace-friendly conditions of the Ekana.

During an interaction on Star Sports, Sanjay Bangar noted that Mohsin Khan, who is potentially fit and ready for a comeback, could partner alongside Mohammad Shami for LSG with the new ball for the upcoming IPL season.

"For me, Mohsin, if he is fit, comes back because he gives you a good mix of that right-left combination. Shami, obviously, is going to enjoy bowling in those conditions suitable for seam bowling," the former Indian coach said.

Sanjay Bangar was left baffled by LSG's choice to retain Mayank Yadav

Sanjay Bangar then further went on to continue that, considering the immense strength and reliable options in the Lucknow Super Giants bowling deck, he found it unreasonable to retain Mayank Yadav, who played just a handful of games for the team and was ruled out for the season with another injury.

"Avesh Khan might not be a starter, but he could come in as an impact player. A little bit surprised why they held on to Mayank Yadav because they have Prince as well, who gave a very good account of himself. He can be a good backup for either Mohsin or Shami," he added.

Mayank Yadav had played just two games in the season, with two wickets and gave away runs at an economy rate of 12.50. Prince Yadav, on the other hand, has been suggested as an ideal backup for the frontline pacers by Sanjay Bangar.

Bangar calls for Matheesha Pathirana's inclusion in LSG

In the interaction, Sanjay Bangar reckoned that Matheesha Pathirana might be the finest target for LSG in the upcoming IPL 2026 auction.

"They can look at acquiring an overseas quickly because that is their main need. Maybe a Pathirana would be fantastic. LSG would certainly like to look at somebody like Pathirana to beef up their fast-bowling department," he said.

He also noted that LSG needs a backup spinner for Digvesh Rathi, but still, he considered that Pathirana might be an ideal grab for the Lucknow Super Giants. He also noted that Rathi had a promising season in 2025 and is not prone to injuries, being a spinner.

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