Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan reckons Lucknow Super Giants gun fast bowler Mayank Yadav must prove his mettle after getting all the backing from the franchise in the last two years. In the last two seasons, the fast bowler from Delhi has managed to play only six games.

Yadav hogged the limelight when he clocked more than 150 kmph in IPL 2024. The fast bowler scalped seven wickets in four matches in that edition at an average of 12.14 and economy rate of 6.98. He also bagged two Player of the Match awards before he was ruled out with an abdomen injury.

Once again in IPL 2025, Yadav was ruled out with an injury after playing only two games. Similarly, Pathan reckons Mohsin Khan should also prove his worth for LSG in the upcoming season after he was ruled out of the previous season.

“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,” Irfan Pathan said on his YouTube channel.

Pathan said Mohammed Shami has the bowling rhythm on his side after consistently playing in the domestic circuit and feels the veteran pacer will get assistance from the Lucknow pitch.

“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.

LSG will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against the Delhi Capitals on 1st April at Lucknow.