Mayank Yadav ruled out of IPL 2025 with recurring back injury, LSG name replacement

Mayank Yadav ruled out of IPL 2025 with recurring back injury (BCCI Photo)

The final leg of the 2025 Indian Premier League will not feature Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) fast bowler Mayank Yadav, due to another back injury. In his place, LSG has signed Will O'Rourke, a fast player from New Zealand, for Rs 3 crore.

LSG kept three players before the huge auction, including Mayank, who recently made a comeback to competitive cricket since October 2024. However, his participation was limited to two IPL 2025 matches - against the Mumbai Indians (MI) and Punjab Kings (PBKS), before the competition was halted due to tensions across the border between India and Pakistan.

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Mayank made an instant impact because of his tearaway pace, which pleased the national selectors. His international debut was after he recovered from a back injury, which prevented him from playing the entire IPL 2024 and 2024–25 domestic season. He was recuperating in Bengaluru at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence, formerly known as the National Cricket Academy.

But after he stubbed his toe against his bed, causing an infection, his return was delayed. Mayank bowled significantly more slowly after his return, attaining highs of 130 kph and only seldom exceeding 140 kph.

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LSG mentor Zaheer Khan had stated that they were in "constant dialogue with the NCA" and were adhering to the regimen that was prescribed to him following Mayank's first game after his return.

O'Rourke made his debut against Pakistan last year and has taken five wickets in as many T20Is. Aside from his five T20I matches, he has received 10 Test and 17 ODI caps overall.

Kyle Jamieson replaces Lockie Ferguson at PBKS

Meanwhile, Lockie Ferguson was replaced by fellow New Zealand pacer Kyle Jamieson at PBKS for the remainder of the IPL 2025. This season, Ferguson participated in four games for PBKS and claimed five wickets. Ferguson was "out indefinitely" after hobbling off after bowling two deliveries in the April match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).

Jamieson played for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in 2021, and PBKS will be his second IPL team. In PSL 2025, he was a member of the Quetta Gladiators, however he only appeared in two of their nine games. Jamieson joined PBKS for Rs 2 crore.