The body will adapt and take its own time, says Mayank Yadav on reduced pace after injury layoff

Lucknow Super Giants fast bowler Mayank Yadav hogged limelight in IPL 2024 when he consistently bowled over 145 kmph. It was not only the speed, with which Yadav impressed in his debut IPL season, but also he hit the right line and length for LSG. Yadav also clocked 156.7 in the last season, and thus impressed one and all.

He bagged seven wickets in four matches before he was ruled out with an injury and also bagged two Player of the Match awards. 

In the ongoing IPL 2025, Yadav has been bowling mostly below 140 kmph since he has returned back after recuperating from an injury.

“This is normal,” he said ahead of LSG’s crucial league game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Lucknow on Friday. “I had a major injury because of which I was out of cricket for five to six months. The body will adapt and take its own time. I will have to give some time to my body and my bowling to get those speeds back. There have been no changes in my bowling technique.”

The young pacer revealed that there has been a drastic change in his strategy.

“There is no drastic change in my strategy,” Mayank, 22, said. “I will continue to do what I used to. My body is taking a little time. I have not seen the intensity, [and] the match pressure for a while now. So it is very normal that the body is responding a little differently after a major injury. I don’t have a different mindset or intent. That remains the same. But I need to read the wickets and the batsmen quicker.”

The fast bowler had returned with figures of 2 for 40 against Mumbai Indians, followed by 0 for 60 against Punjab Kings.

“I have been doing this right from the start, the variations, the slower ones,” Mayank said. “I didn’t need it last season. The few matches that I played in the main demand was to bowl quick and hard length deliveries. This time the wickets, wherever I have played using variations have been important.

LSG will host RCB at Lucknow on Friday in a must-win contest.