The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) embark on their IPL 2025 journey encumbered by a significant predicament—an acute shortage of their frontline Indian pacers. Among the primary concerns, speedster Mayank Yadav, who was on the verge of making a much-anticipated comeback, has encountered another impediment. A toe injury, following his previous back ailment, has further delayed his return, exacerbating LSG’s existing woes. Despite this, head coach Justin Langer remains sanguine about Yadav’s potential availability in the latter part of the tournament.
Mayank Yadav’s Roadblock: Fresh Injury Complications
Mayank Yadav, celebrated for his blistering pace and electrifying performances in IPL 2024, was poised for a strong resurgence. However, an ill-timed injury to his toe has thwarted his rehabilitation timeline. LSG’s head coach, Justin Langer, disclosed that Yadav sustained the injury due to an unfortunate mishap—accidentally striking his foot against a bed—which led to an infection, further hampering his recovery.
“Mayank had been progressing commendably from his back injury, but an inadvertent toe injury resulted in an infection, setting back his recovery by an additional one to two weeks,” Langer stated. “Nevertheless, he remains steadfast in his rehabilitation, and we receive frequent video updates of his bowling sessions. There is optimism that he will rejoin the squad during the latter stages of the tournament.”
LSG’s Bowling Conundrum: Quartet of Pacers Unavailable
LSG finds itself in dire straits as they commence their IPL 2025 campaign without four of their premier Indian fast bowlers. Alongside Yadav, the trio of Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan, and Akash Deep remain sidelined due to various injuries. This attrition significantly strains the team’s bowling resources, necessitating reliance on second-string options in the initial fixtures.
“We acknowledge that four of our primary fast bowlers are unavailable for the opening matches,” Langer remarked ahead of LSG’s first face-off against Delhi Capitals in Visakhapatnam. “Cricket, particularly for fast bowlers, is an arduous discipline, and injuries are an unfortunate inevitability. While we never anticipate such setbacks, we must always remain adaptable. Tactical adjustments will be imperative, but as the tournament unfolds, we anticipate reinforcements returning to bolster our squad.”
Mohsin Khan’s Season-Ending Setback; Avesh and Akash Deep Nearing Fitness
Among LSG’s injury concerns, Mohsin Khan’s prognosis is the most severe—he has been ruled out for the entirety of IPL 2025. To compensate for his absence, LSG has roped in seasoned all-rounder Shardul Thakur as a replacement.
“Mohsin sustained a minor calf injury during his rehabilitation. Given our prevailing injury crisis, we had to make the arduous decision to replace him,” Langer explained.
In contrast, Avesh Khan and Akash Deep offer a glimmer of hope, as both are on the path to recovery and may return earlier than initially expected. Avesh, who has been managing a persistent knee niggle, is poised to undergo a fitness assessment at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) to ascertain his availability. Meanwhile, Akash Deep, recuperating from a back strain, has escalated his training intensity to 90% and has successfully cleared his yo-yo test, a crucial fitness metric in contemporary cricket.
“We remain optimistic that Avesh will pass his fitness evaluation and be available for selection imminently. Similarly, Akash Deep has made commendable strides in his recovery and should be back in contention soon,” Langer added.
A New Era Under Rishabh Pant’s Leadership
A significant shift in LSG’s camp is the appointment of Rishabh Pant as captain. The franchise secured the explosive wicketkeeper-batsman for an eye-watering INR 27 crore at the mega auction in December, entrusting him with the reins for IPL 2025. His leadership credentials will be immediately tested as he squares off against his former team, Delhi Capitals, in LSG’s tournament opener.
Pant’s return to professional cricket stands as one of the most anticipated narratives of IPL 2025. After enduring a near-fatal car accident in December 2022, which sidelined him for over a year, his comeback promises to inject dynamism into LSG’s batting arsenal. However, beyond wielding the willow, he shoulders the formidable responsibility of leading a squad currently riddled with fitness setbacks.
LSG’s Tactical Blueprint to Mitigate Setbacks
Despite their depleted pace reserves, LSG retains confidence in their squad depth. The franchise is expected to lean heavily on their international bowling contingent, including the fiery Mark Wood and the skillful Naveen-ul-Haq, to fill the void. Additionally, all-rounders such as Krunal Pandya and the newly inducted Shardul Thakur will be entrusted with dual responsibilities.
“We possess a well-rounded squad with adept bowlers capable of rising to the occasion. Our primary objective is to adapt to varying conditions and recalibrate our strategies accordingly,” Langer articulated. “Once our injured players reintegrate, we believe we will field one of the most formidable bowling attacks in the competition.”
Conclusion: A Daunting Commencement, But a Potential Turnaround Looms
Lucknow Super Giants find themselves navigating treacherous waters at the inception of their IPL 2025 campaign, beset by injuries to critical personnel. Nonetheless, the franchise remains hopeful that Mayank Yadav, Avesh Khan, and Akash Deep will return in the latter stages, fortifying their arsenal. Under Rishabh Pant’s stewardship and with a resilient squad at their disposal, LSG aims to weather the early turbulence and stay competitive in the tournament.
As IPL 2025 unfolds, all eyes will be trained on Mayank Yadav’s recuperation, Rishabh Pant’s leadership acumen, and LSG’s resilience amidst adversity. Should fortune favor their meticulous planning, they could yet emerge as formidable contenders for the coveted championship trophy.
