Mayank Yadav Undergoes Successful Back Surgery, Begins Road to Recovery
Promising Indian fast bowler Mayank Yadav has taken a significant step toward reviving his career after successfully undergoing back surgery in Christchurch. The procedure, aimed at addressing a recurring spinal issue, was performed by Dr. Rowan Schouten, a highly regarded orthopaedic spine surgeon who has previously operated on several international cricketers, including Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, Jason Behrendorff, and Cameron Green.
Yadav’s surgery, focused on the L5 vertebra on both the left and right sides, comes after a frustrating cycle of injuries that have stalled the 21-year-old’s meteoric rise. After the operation, he returned to India last week and is expected to begin a carefully monitored rehabilitation process at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru in the coming weeks. While medical staff are optimistic about his condition—especially since he is no longer experiencing the pain that once plagued him—no fixed timeline has been announced for his return to competitive cricket.
Career Interrupted
Mayank Yadav burst onto the scene during IPL 2024 with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), making headlines by consistently clocking over 150 kmph and earning back-to-back Player of the Match awards. However, a side strain shortly after his explosive debut restricted him to just four matches that season. Following rehab at the CoE, he made his international debut for India in the T20I series against Bangladesh in October 2024, only to be sidelined again—this time due to a stress-related back injury that ruled him out of the domestic season.
Despite being retained by LSG ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, Yadav’s return to the league was further delayed due to a toe infection. He finally joined the squad in mid-April and featured in two games, but his performance lacked the venom of the previous season. His pace had dipped, and he appeared to rely more on slower deliveries and variations, signaling that all was not well physically.
When the IPL resumed in May after a temporary break due to geopolitical tensions, Yadav was ruled out once again after his back injury resurfaced. LSG later confirmed Will O’Rourke as his replacement.
The Road Ahead
Sources indicate that Mayank Yadav is feeling much better post-surgery, and early signs suggest a smooth recovery. However, given the nature of spinal injuries and his previous setbacks, the CoE medical team will proceed with caution, aiming for a gradual and complete return rather than a rushed comeback.
Yadav’s journey ahead may be slow and calculated, but with the right support and rehabilitation, Indian cricket fans hope the speedster will soon be back doing what he does best—unleashing thunderbolts.
