Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has made it clear that IPL 2026 could be a defining season for Mayank Yadav, urging the young pacer to justify the faith shown in him by Lucknow Super Giants. Mayank burst onto the scene in IPL 2024 with raw pace, consistently clocking over 150 kmph, but injuries have stalled his progress since then. Despite his limited appearances, LSG retained him for ₹11 crore ahead of the 2025 mega auction, signalling strong backing. However, he featured in just two matches that season. Recently, he returned to action with two outings for India A during the T20 World Cup 2026 warm-ups and is now fully fit, working under bowling coach Bharat Arun ahead of the new IPL season.
Pathan pointed out that the franchise’s patience now needs to be rewarded. “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. If there is no place for him in the team, then that is a separate thing. The franchise has supported him. Mohsin Khan missed last year entirely, and even in the seasons before, he has not played all the games. But they have been backed; no other franchise does this. I have seen KKR and MI do it, but many franchises run out of patience after one or two seasons,” Pathan said on his YouTube channel. On the bowling front, Pathan feels LSG possess significant depth despite releasing Akash Deep. He highlighted the importance of Mohammed Shami, who is expected to lead the attack. “Their fast bowling is quite strong, they have a lot of options. Shami has played so much domestic cricket, he is in rhythm, and is experienced. Everyone knows that if there are seaming conditions, then you will get a bank of two overs with Shami. Last year, he had to bowl on flat wickets in Hyderabad. I think he will get much more help from the Lucknow pitch,” Pathan added. Shami will be supported by a strong Indian pace unit that includes Avesh Khan, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, Prince Yadav, Arjun Tendulkar, and Naman Tiwari. Pathan also reflected on LSG’s journey as a franchise, suggesting they are still trying to define their identity after four seasons. The team has moved on from early pillars like KL Rahul, Ravi Bishnoi, and Marcus Stoinis, while undergoing multiple changes in coaching staff and branding. “This is a team that is searching for its identity. If you look at the Mumbai Indians, you associate it with the great Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah. Then you associate Chennai with MS Dhoni, and RCB with Virat Kohli. In comparison, Lucknow is quite a young team. It seemed that Gautam Gambhir’s stamp would be on this team for a long time. Gambhir has since left LSG, gone to KKR, and is now with the Indian team. This team has a lot of potential,” Pathan explained. The franchise, which made the playoffs in its first two seasons under Rahul before exiting in the Eliminator, has since struggled, finishing seventh in the last two editions.
