Mayank Yadav in action during IPL 2024
Mayank Yadav, known for his pace, faced a setback during the IPL match between Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans on Sunday. The 21-year-old bowler suffered a side strain after delivering just one over. Coming into bowl in the fourth over of Titans’ pursuit of 164 runs, Yadav struggled to maintain his usual pace, clocking above 140 kmph only twice before exiting the field with the LSG physio. Despite conceding 13 runs in that over, he did not return to the field as Lucknow secured a 33-run victory over Gujarat.
Following the match, Lucknow all-rounder Krunal Pandya provided reassurance, stating that Yadav appeared to be in good spirits after leaving the field. He expressed optimism about Yadav’s future, praising his composure and expressing excitement about his career prospects.
This injury incident marks a recurrence for Yadav, who had previously faced ankle and hamstring issues. However, his IPL debut this season against Punjab Kings showcased his ability to effortlessly surpass the 150 kmph mark. In his subsequent match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Yadav impressed further by taking three wickets for 14 runs and delivering a 156.7 kmph ball, the fastest in this IPL season, surpassing his previous record of 155.8 kmph.
Also Read: Southern Gaza Palestinians Return as Troops Withdraw: ‘Nothing Left’
Former West Indian pacer Ian Bishop emphasized the importance of managing Yadav’s fitness, given his pace and young age. He cited the example of Australia’s handling of Pat Cummins’ stress injury in his early career as a model for preservation.
In the match itself, Lucknow Super Giants displayed clinical performance, securing a 33-run win over Gujarat Titans. Despite Gujarat’s attempts to chase down the target, they fell short, finishing at 130 all out. LSG’s Yash Thakur and Krunal Pandya played pivotal roles in restricting Gujarat, taking five and three wickets respectively.
For Gujarat, opener B Sai Sudharsan showed some resistance with a score of 31 runs off 23 balls. Earlier, Lucknow’s Marcus Stoinis’ fifty and contributions from skipper KL Rahul and Nicholas Pooran helped the team reach a competitive total of 163 for five.
Overall, it was a commanding performance by Lucknow Super Giants, showcasing their strength in both batting and bowling departments.
