Injury scare for LSG as Mayank goes off the field with side strain

NEW DELHI: During Sunday’s IPL match between Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans in Lucknow, pace sensation Mayank Yadav suffered a side strain. After bowling just one over for Lucknow Super Giants, the 21-year-old had to leave the field.
He came to bowl in the fourth over of Titans’ chase of 164 but could only manage to clock in excess of 140 kmph twice in the over before being attended to by the LSG physio and walking off the field.
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He gave away 13 runs in that over and did not reappear on the field afterward, despite LSGsecuring a 33-run victory over GT.
Later, Lucknow all-rounder Krunal Pandya said the young pacer seemed alright after coming off the field.
“I had a brief chat (with Mayank) and he seemed okay, which is a positive.
“Whatever conversation I have had, whatever we see, he has a good head on his shoulder. Really excited to see how his career pans out,” said Krunal in the post-match presentation ceremony.
This injury is a recurrence of the one that kept him on the benches during the Ranji Trophy season for Delhi.
Mayank, who had previously battled with ankle and hamstring issues in his career, marked his IPL debut this season against Punjab Kings. He immediately caught attention with his effortless ability to surpass the 150 kmph mark.
In his second IPL match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the right-arm fast bowler took three for 14 and also bowled a 156.7 kmph delivery, the fastest of this IPL.
Mayank bettered his own mark of 155.8 delivery that he bowled against the Punjab outfit in the previous match.
He has so far taken six wickets from two matches.
Later, former West Indian pacer Ian Bishop underlined the importance of preserving Mayank.
“He should be treated and protected well as it is the early stages of his career. His body should get stronger considering he bowls at such a high pace,” he said.
“His franchise and the country’s board should take note of it,” Bishop said in the commentary, while giving the example of how Australia preserved Pat Cummins in his early years after the premier pacer suffered stress injury on his lower back.
(With PTI inputs)