Mayank Yadav, who recently made his international debut for India in the first T20I against Bangladesh in Gwalior, has now become a critical part of the IPL 2025 discussion. His impressive performance in his debut match has created a retention dilemma for his franchise, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).

Mayank Yadav’s Status and Retention Costs

As per IPL retention rules, any uncapped player who becomes an international player before the IPL auction is reclassified as a “capped player.” This change significantly affects their retention cost. If LSG decides to retain Mayank, they will need to spend a minimum of ₹11 crore, as he would be the third-choice retention. The cost is higher for the first two retentions, with ₹18 crore for the first choice and ₹14 crore for the second.

Will LSG Retain Mayank?

Sources close to the franchise suggest that LSG is not willing to let go of Mayank Yadav easily. An unnamed IPL insider said, “There is no way that LSG will put a rare bowler like Mayank back in the auction pool. They have invested in him for the past two seasons and he will certainly be one among the top three retentions.”

The current LSG roster has big names like KL Rahul, Quinton de Kock, Nicholas Pooran, and Marcus Stoinis. However, Mayank’s raw pace and potential have caught the attention of head coach Justin Langer and new mentor Zaheer Khan. Mayank impressed on his debut with a strong start, bowling with pace and maintaining pressure in his four-over spell.

Mayank’s Value to LSG

Considering his recent performance and the team’s investment in him over the past two seasons, it seems likely that LSG will retain Mayank Yadav for IPL 2025. The team may be willing to spend the required ₹11 crore to secure the services of the young pacer, who has shown promising talent and growth potential.

As LSG strategizes for IPL 2025, the decision to retain Mayank Yadav will not only be a financial consideration but also a tactical one to maintain a strong bowling lineup.

Indian cricket has been witnessing a surge in fast bowling talent, with two names currently standing out: Mayank Yadav and Umran Malik. While both have clocked impressive speeds, their recent career trajectories have diverged sharply. Mayank Yadav, who has bowled at a top speed of 156.7 kmph, is making waves in the cricketing world, whereas Umran Malik, the fastest-ever Indian bowler at 157 kmph, is grappling with a series of injuries.

Mayank Yadav’s Rapid Rise

Mayank Yadav has quickly become a sensation in Indian cricket with his sheer pace and control. Consistently bowling over 150 kmph, the young pacer has turned heads with his performances. The 21-year-old, who played for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the IPL 2024, had a dream start by earning Player of the Match awards in his first two games. Even after a brief injury, he quickly made his way into the national team.

In his T20I debut against Bangladesh, Mayank impressed not just with his pace but also his variety. While he didn’t cross the 150-kmph mark during the match, he displayed a remarkable range—bowling his fastest delivery at 149.9 kmph and his slowest at 106 kmph. This variation and accuracy have caused trouble for batters, making him a rising star in Indian cricket.

Umran Malik’s Struggles with Injuries

Contrasting Mayank’s swift ascent is Umran Malik, who burst onto the scene with his raw pace but has since faced setbacks due to injuries. After making a mark as an international player, Malik has struggled to maintain consistency and fitness. His recurring injuries have kept him away from crucial matches and tournaments.

In IPL 2024, Malik played only one game for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), a team he had once been a key part of. With 11 wickets from eight T20Is at an average of 22.09 and an economy rate of 10.48, he currently holds the worst economy rate among Indian bowlers with 10 wickets. A recent hip injury has further delayed his return to form, ruling him out of the initial matches of the Ranji Trophy.

While Umran Malik’s raw talent is evident, his career has been hampered by persistent injuries, leaving Mayank Yadav to steal the spotlight as India’s new pace sensation. Both bowlers have potential to be India’s future fast bowling stars, but their journeys reflect the unpredictability and challenges that come with the life of a pace bowler.

Ahead of his inclusion in the upcoming IND vs BAN T20I series, young pacer Mayank Yadav shared the valuable advice he received from former cricketer Gautam Gambhir. The Lucknow Super Giants bowler recounted how Gambhir emphasized that players have different opportunities to prove themselves and make their mark.

Mayank’s Journey and IPL 2024 Performance

Mayank Yadav, who gained attention during IPL 2024 for his remarkable pace, had a challenging stint in the tournament due to injuries. Despite the setback, his recovery at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) has paid off with a call-up to the India Cricket Team for the T20I series against Bangladesh.

Gambhir’s Advice that Stayed with Mayank

In a conversation with Times of India, Mayank shared how Gambhir’s words motivated him. “Gautam bhaiya had once told me that there will be players who get multiple chances to prove themselves and there will be some who get just one opportunity,” he revealed. Reflecting on his early days, Mayank also spoke about his struggles to find a sponsor for his bowling shoes, even after being part of the IPL and playing for Delhi.

Gambhir’s advice stuck with the 22-year-old, as he realized the importance of making the most of every opportunity, especially when it might be the only one. “Gautam bhaiya’s words stayed with me. He and Vijay Dahiya (former LSG coach) clearly told me that I would get my first game after one or two years. When the opportunity came this year, I had to make it count,” said Mayank.

Turning Point in Mayank’s Career

After his debut in IPL, the scenario changed quickly for the young pacer. “The day after my IPL debut, I got offers for my bowling shoes,” Mayank shared, highlighting how the exposure in IPL helped improve his career and visibility.

Talking about his time with LSG coach Morne Morkel, Mayank added, “Morne doesn’t speak much. If he observes anything then he will come and point it out. He will mostly talk about strategies.”

Mayank Yadav’s journey reflects his determination and how he took inspiration from Gambhir’s advice to make the most of every opportunity, now stepping up to represent India in the T20I series against Bangladesh.