Mayank Yadav's path from being India's quickest rising star to facing a surgery that could jeopardize his career has been a profound lesson in humility. The 23-year-old Lucknow Super Giants pacer, who electrified IPL 2024 with the fastest delivery by an Indian, is finally gearing up for a comeback after a grueling rehabilitation period at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Speaking on JioStar’s ‘IPL Today Live’, Mayank revealed that his physical resurrection wasn't just about surgery, it was about a total psychological overhaul, guided by the "teacher" of Indian fast bowling, Jasprit Bumrah.
While undergoing rehab at the National Cricket Academy, Mayank found an unlikely mentor in Jasprit Bumrah. Having navigated a similar high-stakes back surgery himself, Bumrah provided Mayank with a realistic roadmap for the mental highs and lows of recovery.
Bumrah bhaiyya was also there. I have a very good bonding with him. He is like a teacher to me. He also had the same surgery, the same scenario... He told me how the body will be during recovery, how it will react. Sometimes it will feel good, sometimes not.Mayank Yadav
| Feature | The "Old" Mayank | The "New" Mayank (Post-Rehab) |
|---|---|---|
| Recovery Approach | Avoided and neglected sessions | Priority #1; strict discipline |
| Fitness Focus | Relied on "raw talent" | Nutrition, sleep, and recovery |
| Body Awareness | Ignored warning signs | "The more I respect my body, the more it respects me" |
| Mentorship | Street-cricket instincts | The "Bumrah Blueprint" |
Mayank’s obsession with "express pace" wasn't born in a high-performance academy but on the streets, where he admitted he simply never learned how to bowl spin. His father fueled this fire by showing him videos of South African legends who would later become direct influences on his professional career.
Idols: Mayank credits Dale Steyn and his current LSG bowling coach Morne Morkel as the primary reasons he fell in love with fast bowling.
"Gift": It wasn't until his first IPL season that he realized the true extent of his talent after seeing his numbers on a speed gun.
Mental toll: He acknowledges that fast bowling is "dicey," placing immense physical and mental stress on the body.
Retention: Despite missing the bulk of the 2025 season due to back issues, LSG has signaled massive faith in Mayank, retaining him for ₹11 crore for the 2026 season.
Speed record: Mayank continues to hold the record for the fastest delivery by an Indian in the IPL (156.7 km/h), set during the 2024 edition.
"Teacher": Bumrah continues to stay in touch via calls and messages, sharing experiences to ensure Mayank’s return is sustainable.
Comeback: Having completed his rehab in Bengaluru, Mayank is expected to lead the LSG pace attack from Match 1 of the upcoming season.