Mayank Yadav returned to the Lucknow Super Giants playing XI on Wednesday for the first time in 353 days, a comeback that came as Rishabh Pant won the toss and chose to bowl against Rajasthan Royals at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. Lucknow Super Giants made two changes from their previous match, bringing in Digvesh Rathi for Manimaran Siddharth and Mayank for Avesh Khan.
The fast bowler’s return mattered because the wait had stretched back to May 4, 2025, when he last played an IPL match for Lucknow against Punjab Kings in Dharamshala and went for 60 runs without success. Mayank first burst onto the scene in IPL 2024, when he was clocked at 150kmph and produced a 156.7 kmph delivery against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, a mark that still sits among the top five fastest deliveries in tournament history.
That burst of pace came with a price. Mayank’s IPL outings were limited largely by a severe lower back stress fracture, and his appearances were restricted to four games in IPL 2024 and two games last season. He underwent surgery and then completed an extensive rehabilitation program at the BCCI’s COE, which left the Delhi pacer physically fit again but short of the match rhythm needed to slot straight back in.
Tom Moody said Mayank was ready to go, but noted that he had not been in the early conversation for selection because he was still underdone. Moody said the bowler’s fitness was good, but that his bowling loads and comfort at the crease needed time before he could be considered fully ready, adding that his work had been exceptional.
That creates a selection headache for Lucknow at a time when Moody says the bowling has been pretty solid, even if the batting has not given it enough support. Mayank’s return gives LSG back one of the league’s most eye-catching quicks, but the real test now is whether he can turn a comeback into a sustained run through IPL 2026.
