LSG vs KKR: "Mayank Yadav was forced, LSG want to destroy him.."- Lucknow franchise accused by former India

Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif bashed the Lucknow Super Giants team management for forcing Mayank Yadav to play despite not being fully fit. 

Mayank Yadav, who shot to fame on his debut match for the Super Giants for his ability to bowl at 150 regularly, has been dealing with an abdominal injury. The youngster, who was even being touted to make it to the Indian squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, has reportedly once again felt pain in the same area.  

What exactly happened to Mayank Yadav? 

Mayank Yadav had to leave the field mid-game due to an injury scare in the 1st innings against Mumbai Indians at the Ekana stadium in Lucknow.

Mayank had bowled his first 3 overs quite comfortably with fans and expert pundits extremely delighted to see him back on the field. He might have had a near-tremendous debut IPL season but it has been plagued with injuries. 

After playing his first two matches against the Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Mayank Yadav has not been able to play an entire game of cricket. He had registered man of the match-winning figures in both of his first two matches collecting 3/27 against Punjab and 3/14 against Bengaluru. 

However, in his 3rd game against the Gujarat Titans on 7th April, Mayank Yadav left the field in evident pain just after bowling one over from his 4.

Mayank had reported pain on his abdomen and had also felt tightness and soreness in his right hip. He went through a series of scans and followed a recovery regime before making his comeback last night. 

But in the match against Mumbai Indians in which LSG won by 4 wickets, Mayank Yadav left after bowling 3.1 overs, picking 1 wicket and leaking 31 runs. Head coach Justin Langer confirmed after the match that the 21-year-old is feeling soreness on his abdomen again.

Langer also revealed that Mayank had an excellent recovery lay-off but his current injury situation will be found out only after a few scans. "Looks like he is sore in the same spot. His rehab has been perfect, he bowled pain-free in the last week and looked in great condition." - Langer told reporters. 

LSG management's enforcement to play Mayank triggers Mohammad Kaif

After the match ended, Mohammad Kaif took to his X handle and targeted LSG coaches and captain for their carelessness in handling Mayank's injury. Kaif went on a 1-minute rant. He first labeled Mayank Yadav as a National treasure and appealed to the LSG management to not make him play if he is not 100% fit. 

Mayank Yadav left the field again. Did LSG rush him after injury break? Indian cricket needs to preserve him, he's a precious talent who bowls at 150 kph consistently. pic.twitter.com/yudtbMdeKO

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) April 30, 2024

Kaif expressed his scare that if not treated carefully and rightly, Mayank Yadav's injury could become a life as well as career-threatening one. He slammed Langer and KL Rahul for being selfish about the team, grabbing 2 points in the richest league and not caring about a player who has just started off his career. 

Mohammad Kaif lastly appealed to the LSG team to keep Mayank safe and treat his injury cautiously.  

"See, this is a request from my side, Mayank Yadav is a national treasure, if he is not fully fit then please don't force him to play. I thought he was being forced (to play). He bowled and then went out of the ground, this has happened a couple of times now. I request with folded hands that, he is the kind of a fast bowler who in case gets injured, might even end up having a life-threatening injury if you constantly push him to play and he is not unable to gain full fitness."

"I can understand that it's a pressure-filled tournament, you want your team to play, win, and grab 2 points, it is IPL - the biggest tournament in the world but please don't play with anyone's life. It can become a career-threatening injury."

"You are pushing him to play again and again. He was not fully fit, it was wrong whatever happened, Lucknow forced him to play, and he is injured, give him proper time to recover, this is a special request from my side to the Lucknow team. Please." - Mohammad Kaif said via his X account.