Lucknow Super Giants Get a Key Boost with Return of Mayank Yadav
Lucknow Super Giants have received a significant lift ahead of their IPL 2026 match against Rajasthan Royals, thanks to the return of fast bowler Mayank Yadav, who is back after a lengthy injury absence of 353 days. Captain Rishabh Pant won the toss and opted to bowl first at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, hoping to turn things around after two consecutive losses.
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Rajasthan Royals, under the leadership of Riyan Parag, kept their lineup unchanged, sticking to a consistent team despite some recent struggles. In contrast, Lucknow made two changes: leg-spinner Digvesh Singh Rathi came in for M Siddharth, and Mayank Yadav replaced Avesh Khan, marking his much-anticipated first match of the season.
Mayank’s return is noteworthy as he is recognized as one of India’s fastest bowlers. He has been out of action due to a serious lower back stress fracture, which kept him sidelined for most of IPL 2025 and the start of the current season. His last appearance for LSG was in May 2025 against Punjab Kings, where he had a tough time, conceding 60 runs without taking a wicket in four overs. He played only two matches last season, having previously taken two wickets against Mumbai Indians before his injury setback.
Despite his limited playtime, Mayank made headlines during IPL 2024 for his incredible speed, clocking a delivery at 156.7 kmph, one of the fastest ever seen in the tournament. However, his eagerness to push his limits has led to repeated injuries, delaying his full comeback.
Before the match, teammate Aiden Markram offered an encouraging update about Mayank’s fitness. “The last I heard is he’s fit and ready. A fit Mayank Yadav brings great options for any team because he’s an exciting bowler,” Markram shared with reporters.
Addressing LSG’s recent challenges, Pant spoke about the need to find balance while maintaining a steady team selection. “We’re still figuring out the best combination for our squad. Recent matches have been tough, and we need to adjust our play at home. It’s about making small tweaks while keeping stability,” he said at the toss.
Pant also expressed his confidence in Nicholas Pooran, who has struggled recently, scoring only 51 runs in six innings. “He’s a player with a lot of potential, and I believe in him,” Pant remarked.
Rajasthan’s captain Parag mentioned he was fine with batting first, despite there being some uncertainty at the toss. “We’ve performed well; we just need to focus on playing well for all 40 overs,” he commented.
With Mayank Yadav back on the field, Lucknow Super Giants hope he will provide the spark they need to regain their footing in the tournament.
Playing XIs:
Rajasthan Royals (batting first): Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Riyan Parag (capt), Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Ravi Bishnoi, Brijesh Sharma, Nandre Burger
Lucknow Super Giants (bowling first): Mitchell Marsh, Ayush Badoni, Rishabh Pant (capt, wk), Nicholas Pooran, Aiden Markram, Mukul Choudhary, Mohammed Shami, Mohsin Khan, Prince Yadav, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Mayank Yadav
