Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have named New Zealand pacer as the replacement for India’s young speedster Mayank Yadavwho has been ruled out of the remainder of IPL 2025 due to a recurring back injury. The announcement, confirmed via an official IPL statement, comes as a major development as LSG gear up for a crucial phase in their playoff push. The Kiwi fast bowler joins the franchise at a reserve price of ₹3 crore, bringing fresh energy and pace to a side that has missed the spark of Mayank’s fiery bowling spells.

Mayank Yadav’s struggles and injury woes throughout his short carreer

Mayank, once the toast of Indian pace bowling, has had a disappointing 2025 IPL campaign, both in terms of fitness and form. Featuring in just two games this season, he managed to take only two wickets while conceding 100 runs across 48 deliveries. His average stood at a disappointing 50.00, and his economy rate soared to an alarming 12.50. Far from the sensational debut season he had in 2023, where he stunned batters with speeds exceeding 150 km/h, Mayank’s pace in 2025 rarely crossed the high 140s.

The statistics paint a grim picture. His strike rate, once among the best in the league, slumped to 24.0, indicating a steep decline in his ability to make breakthroughs. His best bowling figures this season – 2 for 40 – were far from impactful in the high-stakes environment of the IPL. It’s evident that his recurring back injury, which forced him to miss the entire 2024-25 domestic season, has taken a toll on both his physical capability and rhythm.

After making headlines for clocking a record 156.7 km/h – the fastest ball ever by an Indian in the IPL – Mayank’s decline has been a sobering reminder of how fragile fast-bowling careers can be. Speaking earlier this month, the young quick acknowledged his dip in pace, attributing it to recovery time rather than technical adjustments.

Mayank’s replacement arrival and LSG’s playoff hopes in IPL 2025

With LSG still in the playoff hunt, currently holding 10 points from 11 matches, the inclusion of William O’Rourke as Mayank’s replacement could be a pivotal move. The 22-year-old New Zealand pacer brings with him a reputation for control and bounce – assets that can be crucial on the slower pitches in India. Though relatively inexperienced in the IPL environment, O’Rourke’s performances in international and franchise cricket have caught the eye of scouts, particularly for his composure under pressure and his ability to extract sharp lift from good-length deliveries.

His addition is not just about numbers, but about re-energizing a bowling unit that has struggled in the absence of a consistent strike bowler. LSG will hope that O’Rourke can provide immediate impact as they resume their IPL 2025 campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Monday, May 19 in Lucknow. With every match now a virtual knockout, the franchise needs all the firepower it can muster — and the young Kiwi could just be the X-factor they’ve been missing.