LSG showed desperation to get Mayank Yadav back, he is not ready yet: Ambati Rayudu

Mayank Yadav (Source: Getty Images)

Former India cricketer Ambati Rayudu opined that the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) management was desperate to bring Mayank Yadav back into the mix, following his rehabilitation after suffering back and toe injuries. The latter played his first match of the Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025) against Mumbai Indians on April 27 after completing his rehabilitation at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

While he fared decently against the five-time champions, picking up two wickets at the expense of 40 runs, he had a disappointing outing against Punjab Kings in LSG’s most recent fixture on Sunday, May 4. The right-arm speedster conceded 60 runs and also remained wicketless. Ever since his return, Mayank has also been bowling much slower than what he used to before the injury.

To accentuate his opinion regarding Yadav’s comeback, Rayudu cited the example of Jofra Archer, highlighting that the England seamer took six months to get back to his best after recovering from injury.

“I think it is a lack of confidence more than pace, because once you are coming back from an injury, it is really hard to really bend your back and get back at your best. We have seen Archer, it took him six months to be back at his best. It will be tough if we say he (Mayank) is not performing, but LSG might have just shown some desperation to just get him into the mix, maybe he is not ready yet,” Rayudu said on ESPNcricinfo.

LSG conceded a staggering 236 runs after opting to bowl first at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala on Sunday. Prabhsimran Singh top-scored for Punjab as he slammed a 48-ball 91. In reply, LSG were restricted to 199/7. Arshdeep Singh was the pick of the bowlers as he finished with figures of 3/16.

LSG’s hopes of reaching the playoffs took a massive hit with this loss. They now have five wins from 11 games and are placed at No. 7 on the points table. Rishabh Pant and Co. will return to action on Friday, May 9, at the Ekana Cricket Stadium when they face Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

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