Mayank Yadav, a fast bowler for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), will miss the final leg of the 2025 Indian Premier League due to another back ailment. Will O’Rourke, a fast player from New Zealand, has been signed by LSG for INR 3 crore.
Prior to the massive auction, LSG kept three players, including Mayank Yadav.
Mayank Yadav played just two games in the IPL 2025, against the Mumbai Indians (MI) and Punjab Kings (PBKS), before the competition was halted due to cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan. This was Mayank’s first time playing competitive cricket since October 2024. He signed a unique fast bowler’s deal with the BCCI last year because of his accuracy and quick pace, which pleased the national selectors.
Soon after making his international debut, he had a back ailment that prevented him from playing in the 2024–25 domestic season. At Bengaluru’s BCCI Centre of Excellence, previously the National Cricket Academy, he was recuperating. However, he stubbed his toe against his bed, which resulted in an infection, delaying his return. When he returned, he bowled significantly more slowly, attaining highs of 130 kph and only sporadically exceeding 140 kph.
LSG mentor Zaheer Khan had stated that they were in “constant dialogue with the NCA” and were adhering to the regimen that was prescribed to him following Mayank Yadav first game after his return.
O’Rourke will be playing in the T20 franchise circuit for the first time during his IPL tenure with LSG. Since making his debut against Pakistan last year, he has taken five wickets in five Twenty20 Internationals for New Zealand. Aside from his five T20I matches, he has received 10 Test and seventeen ODI caps overall.
Ferguson is replaced at PBKS by Jamieson.
For the remainder of IPL 2025, Kyle Jamieson, a fast bowler from New Zealand, took Lockie Ferguson’s place at PBKS. Ferguson took five wickets in his four games for PBKS this season. James Hopes, the fast-bowling coach for PBKS, declared Ferguson “out indefinitely” when he walked off after bowling two deliveries in the April match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
Jamieson played for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in 2021, and PBKS will be his second IPL team. In the PSL 2025, he was a member of the Quetta Gladiators, however he only appeared in two of their nine games. Jamieson paid INR 2 crore to join PBKS.
The Gujarat Titans (GT) have recruited Kusal Mendis to replace Jos Buttler, who will depart for England commitments at the conclusion of the league season, according to ESPNcricinfo. Mendis will be able to participate in the playoffs after joining GT for INR 75 lakh.
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