Cricket

Mayank Yadav, the promising fast bowler for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), has suffered a setback that will likely rule him out for the remainder of IPL 2024. The injury, a small tear in his abdomen, is similar to the one that sidelined him earlier in the season.Head coach Justin Langer expressed optimism that Yadav could potentially return for the playoffs if LSG qualifies, but acknowledged the challenges of his recovery. "We'll be praying that he can play, hopefully, in the playoffs, but I'm a realist as well. It'll be probably difficult for him to get up for the back-end of the tournament," Langer said.Yadav's absence is a significant blow to LSG, who have relied on his pace and wicket-taking ability. In his three appearances this season, he has claimed 9 wickets at an impressive average of 11.11 and an economy rate of 6.78.The 21-year-old's injury highlights the challenges faced by young fast bowlers, who are prone to various injuries as they develop. Langer emphasized the importance of patience and rehabilitation, noting that Yadav's previous recovery was successful."He's got huge potential. But his rehabilitation was excellent. He went into the game [against MI], had a couple of bowls before the game. He was completely pain free. So it's very sad for him and it's disappointing for LSG as well that he might [not[ play the rest of the tournament," Langer said.Yadav's injury raises questions about whether he was rushed back into action too soon. However, Langer defended the decision, stating that Yadav's rehabilitation had been thorough and he had been pain-free in the lead-up to the match against Mumbai Indians.Despite the setback, LSG remains hopeful that Yadav can make a full recovery and return to the team in the future. His potential and impact on the team have been evident in his brief appearances this season, and his absence will be felt in the upcoming matches.

Lucknow Super Giants' (LSG) promising fast bowler Mayank Yadav has once again raised injury concerns after leaving the field during their IPL 2024 match against Mumbai Indians. The incident occurred while Yadav was bowling his fourth over, having already conceded 31 runs in 3.1 overs.Yadav's departure from the field was sudden, as he had not displayed any visible discomfort prior to bowling the first ball of his fourth over. The ball crashed into the stumps, dismissing Mohammad Nabi, but Yadav immediately walked off the field. Naveen-ul-Haq completed the over in his absence.This injury scare is particularly concerning for LSG, as Yadav had only recently returned to action after missing five games due to abdominal soreness. In his first two IPL matches this season, against Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Yadav had impressed with his pace and accuracy, earning Player-of-the-Match awards in both games.Despite his limited experience in domestic cricket, Yadav has made a significant impact in the IPL. He has consistently bowled at speeds exceeding 150kmh, surprising opponents with his raw pace. In his first over against Mumbai Indians, Yadav's first delivery clocked in at 144.1kmh and struck Nehal Wadhera in the helmet.LSG will be hoping that Yadav's injury is not serious and that he can return to action soon. His pace and wicket-taking ability have been crucial to the team's success this season, and his absence would be a significant blow.

Lucknow Super Giants' (LSG) fast bowler Mayank Yadav is nearing a return to action after recovering from an abdominal injury. Assistant coach S Sriram confirmed that Yadav is "pretty close" to making his comeback, having resumed bowling in the nets.Yadav made an impressive IPL debut for LSG this season, earning Player of the Match honors in his first two games for his three-wicket hauls. However, he was forced to leave the field after bowling just one over against Gujarat Titans due to abdominal soreness. He has missed four games for LSG since.Despite his injury history, Yadav has shown great promise with his raw pace and accuracy. He consistently clocked speeds above 150 kph in his first two matches, raising hopes that he could be a future prospect for the Indian team.Sriram praised Yadav's maturity and cricketing sense, noting that he "knows his body well" and has a good understanding of his strengths. He emphasized that Yadav's execution and ability to hit consistent lengths have been more impressive than his raw pace.Former West Indies fast bowler Ian Bishop has also highlighted the need for India to invest in Yadav's development. He suggested that LSG or the BCCI provide him with a dedicated strength-and-conditioning trainer, medical personnel, and dietician to help him overcome his injury issues and reach his full potential.LSG are currently fourth in the IPL points table with five wins in eight matches. They will face Rajasthan Royals in their next home game, looking to extend their winning streak to three matches. Yadav's return would be a significant boost to their bowling attack as they aim to secure a playoff berth.

Mayank Yadav, the young fast bowler for Lucknow Super Giants, has made a remarkable impact in the ongoing IPL 2024. His sensational debut performance, where he bowled the fastest delivery of the competition at 156.7 Kmph and claimed three wickets, propelled his team to victory against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. However, a side strain during the match against Gujarat Titans has sidelined him since.Ahead of LSG's crucial game against Chennai Super Kings, assistant coach Lance Klusener provided an update on Mayank's fitness and potential return. "I am not sure regarding his participation in tomorrow's match against Chennai. He has been bowling in the nets, but his fitness is our priority. We can't say anything regarding his participation," Klusener stated.LSG's official Twitter account shared a video of Mayank bowling in the nets, hinting at his possible return. Former Australian cricketer Tom Moody believes Mayank is in contention for a spot in India's T20 World Cup 2024 squad. "He is definitely in the conversation. Whether you take that risk punting on him or not is another conversation," Moody said.Former New Zealand pacer Mitchell McClenaghan echoed Moody's sentiments. "If his form continues throughout this tournament, the World Cup starts six days after the IPL, I think it would be crazy not to look at the players who are in form going into that tournament," McClenaghan said.Mayank's impressive performances have caught the attention of experts and fans alike. His ability to bowl at high speeds and his wicket-taking prowess make him a valuable asset for any team. If he can maintain his form and fitness, he could potentially earn a spot in the Indian squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Lucknow Super Giants' promising fast bowler Mayank Yadav's impressive IPL debut was cut short by an injury during the match against Gujarat Titans. The young pacer, who had taken three wickets in each of his first two matches, missed the subsequent game against Delhi Capitals due to a minor swelling at the top of his hip.Following LSG's loss to Delhi Capitals, skipper KL Rahul provided an update on Mayank's condition. "Mayank is not too bad, he looks good, feeling good, but we also want to make sure we don't rush him back in too early," Rahul said. "He's young, we need to protect his body. He's itching to go, we just have to pull him back a little, maybe a couple of more games, before he comes back."LSG head coach Justin Langer revealed the extent of Mayank's injury. "He felt a little bit of tightness at the top of his hip leading into the last game, but that was about a one-out-of-ten pain, and we thought that they were clinical signs," Langer said. "Everything through the doctors and the physios seemed perfectly okay. He bowled that first over (against Titans) and started feeling something in his hip. But we had an MRI scan, and there is a very, very small swelling in there. So we are very hopeful he'll start building himself up and be back bowling again soon."Mayank's injury is a setback for LSG, who have relied heavily on his pace and control in the early stages of the tournament. The 21-year-old has already made a name for himself by bowling the fastest delivery of IPL 2024 at 156.7 kmph.The LSG management is taking a cautious approach with Mayank's recovery, recognizing the importance of protecting his long-term health. The team is hopeful that he will be back in action soon and continue to make a significant contribution to their campaign.

Basil Thampi, the Kerala fast bowler, has rediscovered his mojo this season, emerging as a potent force with the new ball and leading his team to several crucial victories. After struggling in the past two seasons following the departure of his long-time bowling partner Sandeep Warrier, Thampi has undergone a remarkable transformation, fueled by improved fitness and a revamped bowling action.During the off-season, Thampi spent three months at the MRF Pace Academy, working with coach Senthilnathan to enhance his strength and refine his bowling technique. The focus was on increasing his release point, transitioning from a side-arm delivery to a straighter trajectory. This adjustment has yielded positive results, as Thampi has found greater accuracy and consistency in his bowling.The results of Thampi's hard work were evident in the recent domestic season, where he finished as the second-highest wicket-taker for Kerala in the Ranji Trophy, claiming 24 wickets at an average of 24.20. He played a pivotal role in Kerala's victory over Bengal, delivering a match-winning spell, and nearly guided his team to victory against Andhra with an incisive spell with the old ball after tea.Thampi's resurgence has been a major boost for Kerala, providing the team with a reliable and effective new-ball bowler. His ability to bowl long spells, maintain a fine rhythm, and create early breakthroughs on flat wickets has been instrumental in Kerala's success this season.Reflecting on his improved performance, Thampi attributed his success to enhanced fitness and a change in his bowling action. He acknowledged the impact of his absence from Warrier, but emphasized that his focus on fitness and technical adjustments have been key to his resurgence.Thampi also expressed satisfaction with his overall performance, highlighting his five-wicket haul against Assam and his impressive spell against Mumbai, where he dismissed Ajinkya Rahane in the opening over. He credited his teammates M.D. Nidheesh, N.P. Basil, and Akhin Sathar for maintaining pressure from the other end.While Kerala narrowly missed out on qualification for the Ranji Trophy quarterfinals, Thampi remained optimistic about the team's progress. He acknowledged that luck was not on their side in certain matches, but expressed confidence that with improved toss luck, the outcome could have been different.