Mayank Yadav ultimately all but ruled out of IPL 2025 for LSG

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have suffered another setback as fast bowler Mayank Yadav, who is already recovering from a back injury, has now picked up a toe injury ahead of his team’s IPL 2025 opener against Delhi Capitals on March 24 in Vishakhapatnam.

However, Lucknow Super Giants head coach Justin Langer remains optimistic about Mayank Yadav’s return for the “back end” of the ongoing IPL 2025. Apart from Mayank Yadav, LSG fast bowlers Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan, and Akash Deep are also recovering from their respective injuries.

Mayank Yadav suffers fresh injury ahead of LSG's IPL 2025 opener against DC

The Rishabh Pant-led Lucknow Super Giants will start their IPL 2025 campaign against the Axar Patel-led Delhi Capitals without four key Indian pacers, leaving the franchise struggling to find the right bowling combination for the match in Vishakhapatnam.

Ahead of the DC vs LSG clash on Monday, Langer revealed that some pacers are likely to be out for a few more matches in the ongoing season but admitted that injuries are a part of cricket, especially for fast bowlers, and they must adapt.

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Justin Langer opens up about injuries at Lucknow Super Giants camp

As reported by ESPNCricinfo, Justin Langer said on the eve of the game in Vizag, “Yeah, we're very aware that four of our bowlers are unavailable for the first game and probably a couple of the guys for a few games down the track. But that's sport; that's cricket. Fast bowling usually gives you some headaches, but you just have to adapt.”

The Lucknow head coach stressed that they may adjust their strategy for now, but they are hopeful of getting their top pacers back as the tournament progresses. However, Mohsin Khan was already ruled out for the season after he sustained a small calf injury in his rehab.

Justin Langer admits LSG will have to change their bowling strategy

He was later replaced by Shardul Thakur. However, Langer is hoping that Avesh Khan, who is recovering from the knee niggle, and Akash Deep, who is nursing the back injury, will be back sooner than later, as they have almost ticked all the boxes.

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Although Avesh is bowling at about 90% now. Langer added, “We've all been in the business long enough to know that the fast-bowling injuries are something that you always have to prepare for. You never hope for it; you never wish for it, but you prepare for it. So, we might have to change our game plan a little, but knowing that as the tournament goes on, we'll have some of these excellent bowlers to come back into our attack for us.”

We regularly see videos of him bowling: Justin Langer on Mayank Yadav

On the other hand, Mayank Yadav, who impressed with his pace and match-winning performances in IPL 2024, has struggled with injuries ever since. Just as the young Indian pace sensation was recovering from a back injury, he suffered the toe injury that has now delayed his comeback.

Langer signed off by saying, “Mayank Yadav, who everyone was very excited about last year, was going quite well (coming back from a back injury), and he kicked his toe on the bed. He got an infection in his toe. It's put his rehab back about a week or two weeks. But he's up and running. We regularly see videos of him bowling. I saw a video of him yesterday. So, hopefully, by the back end of the tournament, Mayank will be up and ready to go for us.”