As the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season approaches, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) find themselves in a challenging position, grappling with injuries to key pacers. Mentor Zaheer Khan emphasised the unpredictable nature of the tournament, stating that teams must be prepared for such setbacks.
We can’t really say much as our players are currently with the NCA. We are working alongside them to see how things move forward.
The situation is dynamic, and when you're talking about the IPL, you have to be ready for uncertainties. We plan for the season accordingly with 24 players, and our focus remains on fielding a playing XI that upholds our brand of cricket and wins. This is a positive unit, and you will see a positive approach.
Under new captain Rishabh Pant, LSG kick off their campaign on March 24 at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium. However, concerns linger over the return timelines of Mayank Yadav, Akash Deep, Mohsin Khan, and Avesh Khan, leaving the team with a depleted pace attack.
A glimmer of hope emerged as Mayank, recovering from a lumbar stress injury, resumed bowling in the nets on Monday. The 22-year-old, who turned heads with his raw pace exceeding 150 kmph last season, is undergoing rehab at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Though early reports suggested he might miss the first half of IPL 2025, his recent progress offers optimism for an earlier return. Meanwhile, LSG are exploring backup options, with Shardul Thakur and Shivam Mavi seen bowling in the nets. Zaheer, however, stressed that the team’s mindset remains unchanged despite the setbacks.
There can't be a single method for every situation. Injuries should be controlled, but we are not even focusing on them. Our priority is good cricket. We have a strong team and a good captain in Rishabh Pant.
As LSG brace for a tough start to the season, the franchise hopes to overcome these early hurdles without losing momentum.
