IPL 2024: Mayank Yadav Realistically Out of Rest of Tournament, Says LSG Coach Justin Langer

Add as a preferred source on Google

Lucknow Super Giants' fast bowler Mayank Yadav has been sidelined for the rest of the IPL season due to a lower abdominal tear, according to the team's head coach Justin Langer.

Langer expressed a realistic outlook regarding Mayank's return: "No, we'll be praying that he can play, hopefully, in the playoffs, but I am a realist as well. It'll probably be difficult for him to get up for the back-end of the tournament."

Mayank's brief IPL campaign this season was marked by impressive speeds over 155 km/h and seven wickets in four matches, though he was plagued by injuries.

Discussing the nature of the injury, Langer revealed, "He's (Mayank) had a scan. He's got a small tear in a similar area to where his last one (injury) was. So, it's very unfortunate. We saw the impact he had when he came back into the game."

The challenges of fast bowling were underscored during a conversation between Mayank and Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.

Langer shared insights from that discussion, "There will always be a lot of discussion about fast bowlers, and I know he spoke to [Jasprit] Bumrah after the game and he reassured him that if he's going to be a fast bowler, a part of his journey as a young fast bowler, he's going to get injuries."

Langer added that injuries are a common part of a young fast bowler's career and that Mayank, despite the setbacks, has shown potential for greatness. "So, in my experience, every young fast bowler, probably until they get to 25 or 26, is going to experience different injuries. It's the most unfortunate. He's got huge potential," he said.

While Langer acknowledged criticism from former cricketer Brett Lee about the handling of Mayank's injuries, he defended the medical and rehabilitation approach taken by LSG.

"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 concluded.