Lucknow Super Giants star pacer Mayank Yadav is yet to receive clearance from NCA over his fitness. Yadav is still recovering from an injury and his participation in IPL 2025 remains uncertain.
LSG Wants Mayank Ruled Out For The Season?
With Mayank’s partial recovery and a likely comeback only by mid-to-late April, LSG is trying to get him officially ruled out of the whole tournament as per reports. This would enable them to bring in a replacement from the pool of unsold players.
“This is the first time that an IPL team is demanding such a weird request. Even the NCA guys are in a state of shock after hearing the request,” a BCCI source said.
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“LSG should have been more alert while picking players at the auction. They should have taken an extra fast bowler,” the source added as quoted by MyKhel.
According to reports, a senior LSG official is said to have called the NCA and asked for Mayank to be declared unfit. Another senior LSG member denied the reports, stating otherwise. Since LSG is unsure about his fitness, Mayank’s prospects of playing IPL 2025 look bleak.
Mayank’s Endless Injury Trouble
The skilled pacer has been facing injury since November 2024, and has been out of competitive cricket. Having made a thundering debut season in IPL 2024, during which he consistently clocked 156.7 kmph and clinched consecutive Player of the Match awards, his unavailability comes as a huge blow to LSG.
Mayank was retained by LSG for a massive ₹11 crore ahead of the IPL 2025 auction, but his ongoing rehabilitation at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru has kept his return uncertain. He is recovering from a lumbar stress injury that sidelined him after his T20I debut against Bangladesh in October 2024.
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LSG Faces Fitness Crisis Ahead Of IPL 2025
Joining LSG’s worry, two other principal pacers, Avesh Khan and Mohsin Khan, are also waiting for fitness clearance from the NCA before their season opener against Delhi Capitals on March 24 in Visakhapatnam. The team will hope at least two of the three regain fitness in time to strengthen their bowling arsenal.
Mayank’s non-availability would be a big loss for LSG, considering his capacity to bowl consistently at express pace and unsettle opposition batter.
