Mayank Yadav Sidelined: Big Blow for Lucknow Super Giants
Just when fans thought Lucknow Super Giants finally had their pace weapon back, Mayank Yadav is sidelined once again. The story of Mayank’s stop-start IPL journey took another turn after just two matches this season. He had only just worked his way back into competitive cricket and played against heavyweights like Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings when the familiar pain in his back returned, forcing him out for the rest of IPL 2025.
This isn’t just a matter of a player missing games—Mayank was carrying special hopes for both LSG and Indian cricket. He’s just 22 and was recently handed a fast bowler’s contract by the BCCI in 2024, something that’s usually set aside for truly rare speedsters. After a long rehab spell, expectations were that he’d be firing at full speed. But things didn’t look right from the start. Sources from the LSG camp say they noticed swelling in his back the day he rejoined training. Even in those two matches, his trademark pace had dropped by about 10 km/h, signaling that the injury was likely dogging him already.
Many coaches have been worried about Mayank’s bowling action, too. The way he hyperextends his elbow to generate speed puts extra stress on his back. There’s concern that this style might keep putting him back in the physio room unless something changes in his rehab or technique.
Will O’Rourke Steps In: A New Face in LSG’s Pace Setup
LSG management didn’t wait too long for a fix. After internal talks with Mayank about his fitness and fading impact with the ball, the franchise made the tough call to release him for the season. They acted fast on the international market, snapping up Will O’Rourke from New Zealand for INR 3 crore. At 22, O’Rourke is a promising talent, known for his disciplined lines, and he’s got good red-ball experience—something Indian wickets rarely get to see much in the IPL.
This sort of shuffle highlights just how tough the IPL can be for pace bowlers with fitness issues. The schedule is packed, and there’s no real time to nurse a player back to rhythm if he’s struggling. For Mayank, it’s another rehab journey; for LSG, it’s about adapting fast as the tournament resumes after an extraordinary break due to India-Pakistan tensions.
LSG now have to rethink their playoff ambitions and bowling balance. The hope is that O’Rourke’s fresh legs and new angle of attack spark a turnaround. But for many fans and cricket watchers, the focus will also be on whether Mayank can break this pattern—or if his career risks becoming the story of what could have been.
