Mayank had made heads turn when he clocked 156 kph on his IPL debut against Punjab Kings earlier this season. Registering figures of 3-27 and 3-16 in his first two matches, Mayank shot straight into international limelight and there were talks of fast-tracking him into the Indian team and including him in the newly created fast-bowling contracts list by the BCCI.

However, as luck would have it, he injured himself while bowling in his third match, against Gujarat Titans. A side strain meant he had to walk off the field after just one over, during which his speeds were well below 150 kph.

The Mayank Yadav comeback story

A hostile start

Before every LSG game, there would be anticipation of a Mayank Yadav comeback. The wait was finally over today (April 30), when he was named in the XI for LSG’s home game against Mumbai Indians. KL Rahul said at the toss that he had been “pushing” the medical team for Mayank’s return.

Lucknow bowlers dismantled the MI top order, leaving them reeling at 28-4 at the end of the powerplay when Mayank came on to bowl. His first ball? A sharp 144 kph bouncer that Nehal Wadhera ducked right into, hitting him flush on the helmet.

The playing XIs of #LSGvsMI are here.

Mayank Yadav returns! #IPL2024 pic.twitter.com/bZd4hYXe7e

— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) April 30, 2024

The first ball raised hopes for another exhibition of hostile fast bowling from the 21-year-old quick, but he didn’t quite look at his best as his figures read 0-31 after three overs.

Mayank’s speeds were better than they were in the game where he got injured, but they were not up to the standards he has set before. The fastest ball he bowled was at 153 kph, while his average speed hovered around the 140 kph mark, with most balls in the early to mid 140s range.

An unfortunate end

Yadav returned to bowl his fourth over in the penultimate over of the Mumbai innings. He knocked over Mohammad Nabi’s stumps with a quick 143 kph length ball, but didn’t return to his mark to complete the over.

Instead, much to everyone’s disappointment and concern, Mayank walked off the field with the physio as Naveen-ul-Haq completed the over.

While there were no signs of discomfort as Mayank walked off, it would be a matter of concern for the LSG think tank since he had to similarly leave the field during the game against GT.

Earlier in the day, India’s T20 World Cup squad was announced. There had been whispers of including Mayank in the World Cup squad as a X-factor, but he was overlooked, perhaps due to uncertainty around his fitness.