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Mayank was only able to play four matches of IPL 2024 for Lucknow Super Giants, but despite that, he was retained for Rs 11 crore by the Lucknow-based franchise.
LSG retain Mayank Yadav for Rs 11 crore. (Picture Credit: Sportzpics)
Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) retained Indian pacer Mayank Yadav for Rs 11 crore ahead of IPL 2025 mega auctions. The 22-year-old fast bowler made his IPL debut in 2024 and played four matches in which he dismissed seven batters. In addition to his bowling, Mayank made a big name for himself with his express pace as well, which often touches the 150 kmph mark. Due to his super speed, Mayank was one of the most talked about players in the IPL 2024, and he also got a chance to play three T20Is for India last month.
But despite his performances in the IPL 2024, there were doubts over his retention by LSG due to fitness-related issues. The Delhi-based pacer has only played three T20Is since IPL 2024 and is now out again for a few months due to injury. Fans are still not sure if Mayank is fit to play a full season of IPL.
But all this wasn’t a big reason of concern for LSG owners, who were never in doubt about retaining Mayank at any cost.
“The way you look at it, when a player is playing a match, is he able to contribute to a win? I think Mayank fits that bill perfectly. He played in four games last season and picked up seven wickets. That itself shows the potential of the individual,” LSG co-owner Shashwat Goenka told The Times of India while explaining the reason behind retaining Mayank.
“If you look at other players with similar backgrounds, when they first started off, they were injury-prone as well, and they had to work on their fitness, if I can put it that way,” Goenka added.
“So that (injury) wasn’t the deciding factor; it was about when he plays, what is the contribution he makes to the game and to LSG. That was the guiding principle behind keeping him.”
Apart from Mayank, LSG retained West Indies wicketkeeper-batter Nicholas Pooran, Indian spinner Ravi Bishnoi, and two uncapped players—Ayush Badoni and Mohsin Khan. While Pooran will earn Rs 21 crore, Bishnoi was retained for Rs 11 crore, and Badoni and Mohsin will pocket Rs 4 crore each.
