Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has lauded Lucknow Super Giants for showing rare patience and trust in young pacers Mayank Yadav and Mohsin Khan despite their ongoing injury struggles. In a league where franchises often move on quickly, LSG’s decision to retain both players ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026 season has raised eyebrows—and earned respect.
Mayank, one of the fastest emerging bowlers in the country, has featured in just two matches for LSG across the last two seasons due to fitness concerns. Meanwhile, Mohsin missed the entire IPL 2025 campaign after suffering an ACL injury. Despite limited game time, the franchise retained Mayank for ₹11 crore and Mohsin for ₹4 crore, underlining their long-term investment in Indian pace talent.
Reacting to this, Irfan Pathan emphasised the importance of repaying that faith. He said, “Mayank Yadav has played six matches in two years, it is not enough. He is a retained player. He has to be available this year.” He further added, “The franchise has supported him. Mohsin Khan missed last year entirely… but they have been backed; not every team shows such patience.”
ALSO READ: Yograj Singh Slams Abhishek Sharma Over Reels, Says Star Batter Taking Game Lightly
With Mayank having recently featured for India A ahead of the T20 World Cup and Mohsin returning after a long injury layoff, both pacers will be under pressure to deliver consistently this season.
From a team balance perspective, LSG’s strategy heavily leans on their overseas batting firepower, including Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, and Nicholas Pooran. This setup allows the franchise to rely more on Indian bowlers, making the role of Mayank and Mohsin even more crucial.
ALSO READ: BCCI Announces India Home Schedule 2026-27, Border Gavaskar Trophy To Headline Season
The squad also boasts experienced names like Mohammad Shami and Avesh Khan, adding depth to the pace attack. Led by Rishabh Pant, LSG will kick off their IPL 2026 campaign against Delhi Capitals in Lucknow, with all eyes on their Indian bowling unit to step up.
