Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are staring down a full-blown injury crisis as they brace for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 with their pace-bowling unit taking a severe hit.
LSG's head coach Justin Langer has confirmed that their star pacer Mayank Yadav, already battling from a back injury he sustained in the T20I series between India and Bangladesh in October last year, has now suffered a toe injury after kicking a bed, further delaying his return.
The Super Giants are scheduled to began their IPL 2025 campaign in an away match against Delhi Capitals at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on March 24.
"Mayank, who everyone was very excited about last year, he 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 his yesterday. So, hopefully by the back end of the tournament, Mayank will be up and ready to go for us," Justin Langer said as quoted.
Mayank, known for his express pace and ability to rattle opposition batters, was expected to spearhead LSG’s bowling attack in the ongoing season. His absence could prove costly for the team, which had pinned high hopes on the youngster following his breakout performances last year.
His potential absence leaves LSG scrambling to recalibrate their bowling plans just as their campaign-opener looms.
LSG's IPL 2025 Injury Woes Deepen
The toe injury is just one chapter in LSG’s growing injury saga. Left-arm pacer Mohsin Khan has been ruled out of the tournament, prompting the team to bring in Shardul Thakur as a replacement. Shardul is now one of the most experienced bowlers in the LSG camp. Meanwhile, fast-bowlers Akash Deep and Avesh Khan are also on the mend from a back injury and a knee niggle respectively, leaving LSG’s pace unit severely depleted.
"Unfortunately, I think Mohsin sustained a small calf injury in his rehab. So, knowing that we had four guys out, we had to make that tough call on Mohsin. We think Avesh Khan will pass his right to play tomorrow morning through the NCA. So, if that's the case, then he'll be back sooner rather than later. Akash Deep is up and running, and bowling at about 90% now. I believe he's done his yo-yo test. So, he's really ticking off all the boxes," Langer added.
Lucknow will now rely upon their batters to do the heavy-lifting and give their inexperienced bowling line-up an above-par total in Visakhapatnam. Rishabh Pant, who was snapped up at INR 27 crore in the auction, will lead the franchise this time.
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