Mayank Yadav is fully fit and will feature in Lucknow Super Giants’ opening match against Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026. Head coach Justin Langer confirmed the news at the pre-match press conference, putting months of speculation about the tearaway pacer’s fitness to rest.
Mayank had played just six IPL matches across the last two seasons due to recurring injuries, making this confirmation a massive boost for LSG.
What Has Kept Mayank Yadav Out?
Mayank burst onto the scene in IPL 2024 with his 150 kph thunderbolts that left batters clueless. However, his body hasn’t kept pace with his talent since then.
He underwent back surgery after the 2024 season and spent significant time rehabilitating at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Across IPL 2024 and 2025 combined, the speedster managed only six matches before injuries pulled him out each time. Naturally, his availability for IPL 2026 remained the biggest question mark around LSG’s squad all pre-season.
What Exactly Did Justin Langer Say?
Langer was clear and confident. He confirmed that both Mayank Yadav and young pacer Naman Tiwari are fit and ready to go.
“They are both fit, they are both very exciting prospects, and they have huge futures,” Langer said. He also highlighted the depth LSG now have in their pace department, naming Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan, Mohammed Shami, Akash Singh, Anrich Nortje, and Arjun Tendulkar as additional options.
That’s a seriously stacked fast-bowling pool. If everyone stays fit, LSG could rotate their pacers throughout the season without compromising quality.
Did Langer Reveal LSG’s Batting Order?
Not quite. He kept things deliberately vague when asked about where Rishabh Pant, Nicholas Pooran, Aiden Markram, and Mitchell Marsh would bat.
“Where do you bat Rishabh Pant? Where do you bat Nicholas Pooran?” Langer said with a smile. He called all of them “adaptable cricketers” and also backed Ayush Badoni, now in his fifth IPL season and a recent India squad member.
Additionally, Langer singled out Abdul Samad and Shahbaz Ahmed for their strong domestic performances heading into the tournament. So while the batting order remains a mystery, the options clearly excite the former Australian international.
How Did Langer Respond to Pressure Questions?
The LSG head coach didn’t dodge the pressure talk. Instead, he embraced it.
“I have had pressure on me for 30 years,” Langer stated. “Every time I batted, there was pressure. Every time I have coached, there is pressure. I love pressure.”
Coming from a man who coached Australia to a T20 World Cup title in 2021, that’s not empty talk. LSG will need that mentality as they open against a revamped Delhi Capitals side featuring KL Rahul and Mitchell Starc.
With Mayank’s pace back in the mix, LSG’s bowling suddenly looks like one of the most dangerous attacks in IPL 2026.
