The Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow turned its focus to Mayank Yadav as the fiery fast bowler made his comeback in IPL 2026 for Lucknow Super Giants against Rajasthan Royals. The 23-year-old, celebrated for firing the ball at speeds beyond 150kph, returned with plenty of anticipation — but the night did not match the hype.
Mayank’s return came after a 353-day spell on the sidelines due to injury, and while he offered flashes of his familiar rhythm, the overall outcome was difficult to digest. He managed to hit the 150kph mark again, a feat that has defined his pace in the tournament, yet he struggled to translate that threat into control across his four-over spell.
In the match, Mayank conceded 56 runs in his quota of overs, finished wicketless, and posted an economy rate of 14.00 in his first outing of the season.
Lucknow Super Giants ultimately suffered a 40-run defeat, which also marked their fifth loss in IPL 2026. Almost immediately after the result, Mayank became the subject of criticism and trolling on social media, with negative reactions spreading despite his lengthy absence from the game.
Former West Indies cricketer and commentator Ian Bishop stepped in to defend the youngster, urging supporters to keep perspective and show patience. On X, Bishop wrote: “To see negative comments about Mayank Yadav today is horrifying. The kid nearly lost his career & livelihood at 21yrs. Just to see him play again is huge boost. The fact that he clocked 150kph again is a miracle. At 23yrs just pray for him that he stays fit. The control will come.”
Mayank had played only two matches in the previous season before a back injury forced him out. He remained away from professional cricket for a long stretch, with Wednesday’s appearance against Rajasthan Royals serving as his long-awaited return.
Lucknow’s campaign so far has been uneven. The franchise began IPL 2026 with a defeat to Delhi Capitals, but responded with victories over Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders. However, losses to Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Punjab Kings, and Rajasthan Royals have disrupted their momentum.
Looking ahead, Lucknow Super Giants are scheduled to take on Kolkata Knight Riders on April 26.
