Mayank Yadav's Struggles in IPL 2025: A Look at His Performance
Mayank Yadav's Challenging Season with LSG
Mayank Yadav's return to the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) has taken an unexpected turn. The young pacer from Delhi, who made headlines last year with his impressive speed, has faced difficulties in IPL 2025. In a recent match against the Punjab Kings, he struggled to deliver his trademark pace, allowing the Punjab batsmen to dominate the game in Dharamsala.
After missing the first half of the season due to injury, Mayank had previously caught the spotlight similar to Umran Malik's rise in 2022. He made a significant impact last year, consistently bowling over 150 km/h and challenging top players like Virat Kohli in just four matches. His potential led LSG to retain him for a substantial ₹11 crore.
However, this investment has not yielded the expected results. In his two appearances this season, Mayank has not reached his usual speeds, with his bowling averaging around 130 km/h, occasionally touching the low 140s. The explosive 150 km/h deliveries have been absent, resulting in a lack of impact.
In the match against Punjab Kings, Mayank faced a tough outing. Josh Inglis hit three consecutive sixes off him in the first over, and Prabhsimran Singh also capitalized on his bowling. Ultimately, Mayank's powerplay spell concluded with figures of 0/36 over two overs, and he ended up conceding 60 runs without taking a wicket, falling short of the expectations placed on him as LSG's pace spearhead.
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In T20 cricket, where batting often overshadows bowling, Mayank's noticeable decline in pace raises concerns. His previous performances had positioned him as a promising fast bowler, but without that speed, he lacks the intimidation factor.
Mayank's career trajectory mirrors that of Umran Malik, who excelled with Sunrisers Hyderabad, regularly clocking 155 km/h and taking 22 wickets in a season. Malik quickly earned a spot in the Indian team but faced challenges that hindered his progress. Injuries and waning confidence have led to his absence from IPL 2025, highlighting the fragility of fast-bowling careers.