LSG vs RR: Will Mayank Yadav return to the field against Rajasthan Royals? Official Statement Issued

Lucknow Super Giants' uncapped pacer Mayank Yadav is on the verge of staging a return from injury in IPL 2024 season as he could be available in LSG's next match. 

Mayank Yadav broke into the Indian Premier League scene with his exceptional ability to generate raw pace from his action. He clocked at a 155+ pace on a few occasions since making his IPL debut against the Punjab Kings on the 30th of March. On his debut as well as the second match of the season, Mayank had walked away as man of the match. 

Mayank Yadav's shot to fame and sudden injury in IPL 2024

Against the Punjab Kings, Mayank Yadav had registered figures of 3/27 in front of home support at the Ekana stadium in Lucknow. Then against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Mayank scalped 3 wickets but the impressive part was his economy rate. In his 4 overs, the youngster had conceded just 14 runs with LSG winning both of their ties. 

However, in only his 3rd match of his debut season, Mayank Yadav reported a feeling of tightness on top of his right hip during LSG's clash against Gujarat Titans. In that match, Mayank was able to bowl only one over in the 2nd innings when GT tried to chase down a total of 164. As a result of that injury, the 21-year-old was ruled out from LSG's next matches in IPL 2024. 

Not only was it the case of tightness on his right hip, Mayank Yadav also felt pain in his abdomen which further restricted his recovery from happening faster. Mayank has already missed 4 LSG games against Delhi, and Kolkata and 2 clashes against the Chennai Super Kings. But an official from the LSG camp has given a massive update about his return in LSG's match against Rajasthan Royals later today. 

LSG official Sriram confirms that Mayank has started bowling in the nets 

LSG official Sriram, during a media interaction yesterday at the Ekana stadium, confirmed that Mayank Yadav has already started bowling in the nets. Sriram admitted that the LSG management is keeping their fingers crossed for Mayank's return against the Rajasthan Royals later today. 

Sriram also had words of praise for Mayank for the way he was able to clock at 150 regularly, that too, with an accurate line length. The LSG official claimed that it was his accuracy that stood out in his bowling and that his ability to bowl at 155 is just his by-product. 

"He's bowling today in the nets. So we'll find out how he pulls up after today, he's pretty close, so ya hopefully, fingers crossed. The number 155 is a by-product of his rhythm and the run-up speed and the arm speed, but accuracy with which he's bowled has stood out and for me that is critical." - Sriram told reporters at the Ekana stadium. 

Sanjay Manjrekar picks Mayank in his T20 World Cup 15-man squad 

Mayank Yadav's performance in his first three matches has been such that former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar picked him in his 15-man squad. The youngster would have been considered if he hadn't got injured just after 3 matches. But it remains to be seen if Manjrekar's prophecy proves right.