Lucknow Super Giants will lock horns with Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in what shapes up to be a thrilling IPL encounter, with a potentially significant storyline hanging over the match: the comeback of pace gun Mayank Yadav. The young fast bowler, who missed earlier action due to an injury, is expected to be back in contention, and his return could inject extra pace into an LSG bowling group that has already shown encouraging rhythm in the season.
Ahead of the fixture, Mayank spent time spot-bowling at the venue as part of his preparation. He then held a lengthy discussion with bowling coach B Arun, a development that underlined how closely the franchise has been monitoring his readiness. LSG’s Global Director of Cricket Tom Moody also moved to clarify the nature of Mayank’s earlier absence, stating it was not linked to fitness issues but rather to match preparedness—specifically, whether he felt fully at ease with his bowling workload and execution.
“Mayank is ready to go,” Moody said. “He didn’t come into our thinking early in the tournament because he was still a little underdone. Not from a fitness point of view, his fitness was good, but in terms of bowling loads and feeling comfortable. We feel he is now at that point. He has worked exceptionally hard.”
While Mayank’s availability is a boost, it also places LSG in a selection conundrum. The team’s bowlers have largely delivered strong spells, yet the batting side has not consistently converted those efforts into totals capable of defending. In other words, LSG have frequently looked threatening with the ball, but the scoreboard has not always matched the quality of their bowling.
Moody added, “Our bowling has been pretty solid so far. We just haven’t produced the runs to support that.”
If Mayank is named in the playing XI, it could mean a reshuffle among LSG’s fast-bowling options. One likely casualty could be Avesh Khan, who is also returning from injury. Avesh had a buildup stint with Durban Super Giants in the SA20, designed to help him manage workload ahead of the IPL campaign. Although he has been slightly expensive—conceding at an economy rate above 10—his experience is still viewed as an important component for the side, particularly in a high-pressure chase-or-defend scenario.
Moody further indicated that LSG’s pace department is close to full strength. He pointed to Mohsin Khan as being near a return as well, suggesting the team has multiple bowling options at the disposal of the captain and management as they weigh up the final XI.
“The likes of Mayank, Mohsin and Avesh have all had long-term injuries. Our medical team has worked exceptionally hard to get them ready. They’re all available now. Mohsin will probably have a final test on match day,” Moody said.
With Bengaluru coming into the contest in a confident frame and the Chinnaswamy surface typically offering plenty for batters, Mayank Yadav’s potential return could tilt the balance. His pace, added excitement and the fresh edge he brings may prove pivotal for LSG as they aim to deliver a more complete performance and turn their bowling strength into match-winning outcomes.
