Lucknow Super Giants are keen to include emerging fast bowler Mayank Yadav in their upcoming IPL 2024 home match against Rajasthan Royals on April 27, as revealed by bowling coach Morne Morkel on Monday.
The 21-year-old has been sidelined due to "soreness in the lower abdominal area" since April 7. He made an impressive start to his IPL career with standout performances against Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
Speaking on the eve of their return match against Chennai Super Kings on Tuesday, Morkel mentioned that Mayank has remained in Lucknow and is expected to make his comeback against Rajasthan Royals.
"He stayed behind in Lucknow just to give him that extra two-three days without travelling," Morkel told reporters here.
"He is with (assistant coach) Lance Klusener and the rest of the guys in Lucknow, training and getting ready. So I think, anything from the next game onwards, we'll look to bring him back in," he added.
Morkel stated that Mayank's recent start into bowling indicates promising development, with efforts now focused on consistently reaching the 150 kmph milestone.
"He's coming along very nicely. We're very happy with his progression. He started bowling three, four days ago, so for him it's just a matter now, of course of him, the expectation is greater, (given) that he bowls every ball at 150 kmph.
"It's just to really get his body and his mind in that sort of state where he's confident, running and bowling all four overs at a tight pace." The defending champions Chennai Super Kings suffered an eight-wicket defeat at Lucknow in their previous outing.
Morkel is aware that the IPL heavyweights will hope to get their record straight after returning home.
"They plan well, and they've got a coach and they've got the experience of MS (Dhoni) and all the international players.
"It is definitely a team that you need to be on the money from ball one. You can't afford to give them that momentum, because once you give that momentum away from them, or once they have momentum, it's very hard to pull the game back.
"We'll have to be confident, especially after beating them with eight wickets in the last game. It's a team that you can't afford to be in a back foot, so from a mental point of view, we'll have to stand up in all the battles, in all departments, with bat, ball and field," Morkel added.
