Working on a plan B, the Lucknow Super Giants have been battling to keep their marquee pacer Mayank Yadav fit before the Indian Premier League 2025 season. Some coaching graphics from the LSG camp have implied that experienced India all-rounder Shardul Thakur might be next in line to sign with the team. The Mumbai star, who last season in the IPL played for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), was seen wearing the franchise’s jersey at the LSG training session on Sunday.
Shardul Thakur 👀
— Abin (@futbol_cricket) March 15, 2025
What's going on !!?#LSG
This kind of a post for just a Net bowler, I don't think so… pic.twitter.com/O45agkBcus
Last year, CSK let go of Shardul before the IPL 2025 bidding. Going unsold, he didn’t get a single bid from any of the ten franchises. Shardul, who has astounded everyone with his domestic season this year, could nonetheless be on the path to redemption.
Shardul went on to take 15 wickets in nine matches at an average of 24.53 during Mumbai’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy run. The all-rounder also excelled in the Ranji Trophy, taking 35 wickets in the average of 22.062 runs over nine games.
LSG hoping that Mayank Yadav gets fully fit.
Mayank Yadav, India’s fastest bowler, is not likely to play the first few games of the next Indian Premier League for Lucknow Super Giants as he has not yet been cleared by BCCI’s Center of Excellence (COE) in Bangalore’s medical and sports science team.
Mayank, who debuted for India in a T20I match last year against Bangladesh, rose to prominence for his scorching speed that approached almost 97 miles per hour, rushing batsmen for pace.
Mayank is predicted to become fit in some time, but he could have to skip the first few IPL matches. Right now, it could be first two to three games. A BCCI source who declined to be identified told PTI, He has just begun bowling at NCA and will gradually be growing his workload.”
