IPL 2026: LSG boosted by Mayank Yadav's return ahead of away fixture vs RCB
Mayank Yadav (Source: Instagram/MayankYadav_8)
Published - 14 Apr 2026, 08:47 PM• Read time - 2 mins
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have got a major boost ahead of their next fixture of the Indian Premier League 2026 (IPL 2026) against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as young fast bowler Mayank Yadav is available for selection. Yadav had been recovering from his long injury layoff and missed the first few games for his franchise.
However, with LSG struggling to maintain consistency in the ongoing season, Yadav’s return could not have come at a better time. The right-arm speedster has gradually built his workload and has gained match fitness ahead of their next fixture against RCB in Bengaluru, confirmed LSG’s global director of cricket, Tom Moody.
"Mayank is ready to go. He didn't come into our thinking early in the tournament because he was still a little underdone. Not from a fitness point of view - his fitness was good - but in terms of bowling loads and feeling comfortable at the crease,” Moody said in the pre-match press conference.
Moody also noted that his return will create a selection headache for their side, as their bowlers have done a good job so far.
"We feel he is now at that point. He has worked exceptionally hard. But that does give us a selection headache because our bowling has been pretty solid so far. We just haven't produced the runs to support that,” he added.
Whom can Mayank replace?
Lucknow are placed seventh on the points table with two wins from four matches, having four points to their name. Their bowling department has been exceptional so far, with Prince Yadav (6 wickets) and Mohammed Shami (4 wickets) at the top of their games.
The spin department has also complemented the seam attack with Digvesh Rathi and M Siddharth, stemming the run flow in the middle overs. The only weak link in LSG’s bowling unit has been Avesh Khan, who has three wickets to his name from as many innings and leaked runs at an economy of 10.40.
Hence, the management could well think of benching Avesh to make way for Mayank in the upcoming fixture.
