With the IPL 2025 season set to begin on March 22, one of the title-contenders, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), have been dealt a heavy blow even before playing their first match. A major portion of their pace bowling unit is unavailable, with updates confirming that Mayank Yadav, the pace sensation from last season, will miss the first seven matches. Additionally, Avesh Khan and Akash Deep are set to miss three games each due to injuries.
LSG’s first match is scheduled against Delhi Capitals (DC) on Monday in Vizag.
🔴 Mayank Yadav Out Till Mid-April: Will Miss 7 Matches
As per multiple reliable sources including Indian Express, Mayank Yadav, who has been recovering from a lower-back injury, will not be available until April 15. The injury has kept him at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru since October 2024.
🗣️ “Mayank is recovering well but won’t be fit before April 15, which means he’ll miss at least the first seven matches for LSG,” a BCCI official told Indian Express.
This is a major setback for LSG as Mayank was their breakout star in IPL 2024, clocking speeds of over 150 kmph consistently and troubling top-order batters.
🟠 Avesh Khan and Akash Deep Likely to Return by April 4
Along with Mayank, Avesh Khan (knee injury) and Akash Deep are also nursing their injuries at the CoE. However, there is positive news as both are likely to return by April 4, in time for LSG’s match against Mumbai Indians.
| Player | Injury Status | Expected Return | Matches Missed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayank Yadav | Lower-back injury | After April 15 | 7 Matches |
| Avesh Khan | Knee issue | April 4 | 3 Matches |
| Akash Deep | Minor niggle | April 4 | 3 Matches |
This leaves LSG with very limited pace options in the initial phase of the tournament.
🟢 Shardul Thakur Joins LSG Squad as Replacement
To plug the gap, Shardul Thakur, the experienced Indian all-rounder, has been roped in by LSG for a base price of ₹2 Crores. He replaces Mohsin Khan, who has been ruled out of the season due to a calf injury, with the CoE reporting him only 50% fit.
✅ “Shardul Thakur will travel with the team for the opening game against Delhi Capitals and is expected to share the new ball with West Indies pacer Shamar Joseph,” reports suggest.
Interestingly, Thakur had been training with LSG over the past week and was seen in their Holi celebration videos, sparking speculation even before his signing was made official.
🗣️ Zaheer Khan Speaks on Team’s Injury Situation
LSG mentor Zaheer Khan addressed the injury concerns in a recent press conference:
“We are working closely with the NCA and monitoring each player’s fitness. The situation is dynamic, and IPL is all about adapting to uncertainties. We’re confident in the squad we’ve assembled and remain positive going into the season,” said Zaheer.
🧠 Impact on LSG’s Strategy and Season Start
The absence of four frontline pacers (Mayank, Mohsin, Avesh, Akash) in the early games puts immense pressure on the team’s strategy. The franchise will likely lean on:
- Shardul Thakur and Shamar Joseph to lead the pace attack
- All-rounders like Shahbaz Ahmed and Rajvardhan Hangargekar for backup bowling
- Spinners like Ravi Bishnoi to play a more central role in powerplays and middle overs
LSG Squad for IPL 2025 (with Injury Notes)
| Category | Players |
|---|---|
| Batters | Ayush Badoni, David Miller✈️, Aiden Markram✈️, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Nicholas Pooran✈️, Matthew Breetzke✈️, Himmat Singh, Aryan Juyal, Mitchell Marsh✈️ (won’t bowl) |
| All-rounders | Shardul Thakur, Shahbaz Ahmed, Yuvraj Chaudhary, Arshin Kulkarni, Rajvardhan Hangargekar |
| Bowlers | Ravi Bishnoi, Shamar Joseph✈️, Akash Singh, M. Siddharth, Prince Yadav, Digvesh Singh Rathi |
| Injured | Mayank Yadav (back), Avesh Khan (knee), Akash Deep (niggle), Mohsin Khan (calf) ❌ |
Final Thoughts: LSG Need To Stay Strong Through Early Challenges
Lucknow Super Giants, one of the most consistent teams in recent IPL seasons, face a tough start to their 2025 campaign. The injury blow to Mayank Yadav and partial unavailability of Avesh Khan and Akash Deep could test their bench strength and team balance.
However, with experienced names like Shardul Thakur, Shamar Joseph, and a positive mindset shared by Zaheer Khan, LSG fans can still expect competitive cricket.
💬 Stay tuned as we track LSG’s campaign and bring regular updates on player fitness and team strategies.
