Former West Indies great Ian Bishop has strongly backed young pacer Mayank Yadav after the Lucknow Super Giants speedster faced heavy criticism following his return in the Indian Premier League 2026. Bishop did not hold back, calling the online backlash “horrifying” and urging fans to show patience toward a bowler still finding his rhythm after a long injury layoff.

Mayank’s comeback outing came against the Rajasthan Royals at the Ekana Stadium, where he conceded 56 runs in his four overs without picking up a wicket. It wasn’t the ideal return, especially in a match where Lucknow Super Giants ended up losing by 40 runs, further denting their playoff hopes. But the numbers only tell part of the story.

Bishop’s perspective cuts through the noise. The former fast bowler highlighted that just seeing Mayank back on the field is a significant achievement in itself. The 23-year-old had been sidelined for months due to a serious lower-back stress fracture—an injury that threatened not just his season, but potentially his career. For Bishop, the bigger picture matters: a young fast bowler returning to clock speeds close to 150 kmph is no small feat.

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In fact, Mayank consistently hit the high 140s during his spell and even breached the 150 kmph mark later on. While his control and execution weren’t perfect, that’s expected after nearly a year away from top-level cricket. Rust, in such situations, is inevitable.

Stop exaggerating concerns raised around Mayank Yadav’s persistent injuries. The guy has already made a million dollar while being injured. He also pursue a career in commentary like recently retired IPL players are doing. No need to get emotional over well-meaning criticism

— Brutal Truth (@sarkarstix) April 23, 2026

The criticism, however, has been relentless. Social media reactions ranged from disappointment to outright trolling, with some fans questioning the hype around him. Yet, those who have followed fast bowlers closely understand that rhythm, accuracy, and confidence take time to rebuild—especially after recurring injuries.

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Mayank first burst onto the scene in IPL 2024 with raw pace and aggression, instantly becoming one of the most exciting young quicks in the country. But injuries halted that momentum. Now, as he attempts another comeback, the focus should ideally shift from instant results to long-term development.

For Lucknow and Indian cricket, a fully fit Mayank Yadav remains a priceless asset. And as Bishop rightly pointed out, if his body holds up, the control and consistency will follow.