After missing nearly a year due to a lower back stress fracture, injury-prone Indian pacer Mayank Yadav is almost ready to return to full bowling condition.
The 23-year-old went on to play for India in the shortest format after turning heads with his quick pace in the 2024 Indian Premier League.
Due to a back injury that prevented him from playing in the 2024–2025 domestic season following his international debut, he only participated in two competitive games at the 2025 edition.
The Delhi fast bowler’s IPL team, the Lucknow Super Giants, had faith in him despite his fitness problems and retained him ahead of the auction last month.
“Mayank Yadav is progressing well through his rehabilitation and has successfully achieved bowling at 90 per cent intensity, with a current workload of 18 overs per week,” a PTI report quoted a BCCI official as saying, referring to Mayank’s rehabilitation at Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
“He has also demonstrated significant improvements in strength and conditioning, enabling him to approach the maximal fitness levels required for pace bowling.
“Over the forthcoming weeks, he is expected to progress to bowling at 100 per cent intensity, alongside the integration of high-intensity fielding activities, subject to ongoing symptom tolerance and monitoring,” the official added.
The official also gave an update on India batsman Riyan Parag, who will not compete in the Vijay Hazare Trophy because of an injury to his right shoulder. His most recent competitive game was on December 6.
“Riyan has shown good progress following the injection to his right shoulder on 16th December 2025. He has regained full shoulder range of motion and is currently pain-free through all movements. He is continuing with a progressive shoulder strengthening and ground conditioning program without any limitations,” said the official.
“This week, he has resumed batting in the nets against throw-downs and spinners, demonstrating steady improvement in intensity across each session. He is scheduled to commence a progressive bowling and throwing program next week, alongside ongoing batting skill activities,” he added.
