Mayank Yadav Told To Leave LSG After Dream India Comeback in Zimbabwe

Mayank Yadav for India [Source: AP]

Mayank Yadav returned with spellbinding spell in the IND vs ZIM 1st T20I, bagging two for 18 and earning his maiden Player of the Match award for India.

The 24-year-old is regarded as the fastest bowler in India, and he showcased the glimpses of that during his outing at Harare on Thursday. 

Yadav first came to the limelight by featuring for the Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2024. Since then, he has been with the franchise despite missing most of the action due to injuries. 

Mayank Yadav asked to leave LSG

Mayank Yadav has played just 10 IPL matches, mainly due to injuries. However, Indian Test batter Hanuma Vihari has asked him to leave LSG to get more opportunities in the IPL.

According to the former SRH batter, Yadav will have to wait for his chance with LSG, as they have a bulkload of fast bowlers in the arsenal, such as Prince Yadav, Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan and Mohammed Shami.

"These guys should get more opportunities in the IPL. For example, Mayank Yadav missed out last season because there were also Prince Yadav, Mohsin Khan, and Avesh Khan in LSG, so you can miss out. If he moves out of LSG, he will get more chances and can play consistently," Hanuma Vihari said on his YouTube channel.

"But one thing about LSG is that they retained him even if he was not able to play all games, took care of his surgery and have groomed him, so definitely the loyalty factor will be there," he said.

LSG's never-ending trust in Mayank Yadav

It is worth mentioning that Mayank Yadav first came to the reckoning during IPL 2024, when then LSG mentor Gautam Gambhir and former assistant coach Vijay Dahiya recommended the Delhi pacer for his performances in the domestic circuit.

The speedster made a name for himself by bowling thunderbolts, including a delivery at 156.7 km/h against RCB in IPL 2024. That season, he played four matches to return with seven wickets. However, he was ruled out in the latter half due to side strains and back problems.

He played six matches in the next two seasons, but faced a lumbar stress fracture, lower back issues, and an accidental toe laceration infection. 

That said, LSG have always shown trust in the speedster, who was initially bought for INR 20 lakh ahead of IPL 2022, but after his wonders in 2024, he bagged INR 11 crore from IPL 2025 onwards.

Mayank Yadav's hard work during rehab begins to pay off

In recent times, Mayank Yadav has worked tremendously well on his fitness, especially after his surgery. He has put in long hours in physical and mental training during his rehab at the BCCI Centre of Excellence. 

As a result, the right-arm speedster is looking fitter and sharper in the ongoing series in Zimbabwe, as compared to his last stint with India against Bangladesh in 2024. 

Nevertheless, Yadav will be next seen in action in the IND vs ZIM 2nd T20I at Harare on Saturday (July 2026).

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