Lucknow Super Giants fast bowler Mayank Yadav had a brilliant start to his IPL career with back-to-back three-wicket hauls. Mayank's rapid pace and impeccable control made him a huge favourite among both fans as well as experts with many calling for Indian cricket team selectors to consider him for a spot in the squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. However, his impressive run in the competition was abruptly cut short after he picked up an injury during the match against Gujarat Titans. Mayank went on to miss the match against Delhi Capitals with a small swelling at the top of his hip.
Following Lucknow Super Giants' loss against Delhi Capitals on Friday, skipper KL Rahul was asked about Mayank's fitness and he had a major update regarding the youngster.
"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. 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," Rahul said after the match.
Earlier, LSG head coach Justin Langer revealed the complete 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," added the former Australian opener.
Mayank currently holds the distinction of bowling the fastest delivery of IPL 2024 at 156.7 kmph.