Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) took a bold gamble ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. They decided to hold onto Mayank Yadav, who has had his fair share of injuries. The fast bowler has only played 5 competitive matches in the past year, yet LSG chose to keep him on for a hefty INR 11 crore. Mayank's experience is somewhat limited. Even though he made his competitive debut back in 2021, the 23-year-old has only participated in 37 matches throughout his career. This includes 6 IPL games with LSG and 3 T20 internationals for India. However, this risk could turn out to be worthwhile. Mayank underwent back surgery in June 2025, with a recovery timeline of 6 to 8 months. Fortunately for LSG, he’s right on track. The young speedster has been rehabilitating at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Read also: From Shakib to Mustafizur: How KKR became the IPL’s longest home for Bangladeshi cricketers Mayank Yadav Close to Making His Comeback His initial return was projected for the second leg of the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season, starting on January 22. Mayank is on schedule for that timeline, currently bowling at 90% intensity while managing his workload, which amounts to about 18 overs a week. “Mayank Yadav is progressing well through his rehabilitation and has successfully achieved bowling at 90 per cent intensity, with a current workload of 18 overs per week. He has also demonstrated significant improvements in strength and conditioning, enabling him to approach the maximal fitness levels required for pace bowling,” a BCCI official told PTI. In the upcoming week, it’s anticipated that Mayank will be back to full speed. Delhi is set to face Chhattisgarh on January 22, and if everything goes smoothly, Mayank could make his return to the field for the first time since December 2023. “Over the forthcoming weeks, he is expected to progress to bowling at 100 per cent intensity, alongside the integration of high-intensity fielding activities, subject to ongoing symptom tolerance and monitoring,” the official added. LSG’s Complete Squad for IPL 2026 Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Nicholas Pooran (wk), Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Abdul Samad, Himmat Singh, Matthew Breetzke, Shahbaz Ahamad, Arshin Kulkarni, Ayush Badoni, Digvesh Rathi, Avesh Khan, Akash Singh, Prince Yadav, M Siddharth, Mohsin Khan, Mayank Yadav, Mohammad Shami (traded in), Arjun Tendulkar (traded in), Wanindu Hasaranga, Anrich Nortje, Mukul Choudhary, Naman Tiwari, Akshat Raghuwanshi, Josh Inglis (wk)