NEW DELHI: In their upcoming IPL matchup at home against the Rajasthan Royals on April 27, the Lucknow Super Giants intend to activate speed wonder Mayank Yadav, bowling coach Morne Morkel announced in Chennai on Monday.
After a brilliant start to the Indian Premier League with three-fors against both the Punjab Kings and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Mayank has been out since April 7 due to "soreness in lower abdominal area".
Morkel stated that Mayank had remained in Lucknow and was scheduled to make a comeback against the Rajasthan Royals on Tuesday, the eve of their return leg matchup against the Chennai Super Kings.
"He stayed behind in Lucknow just to give him that extra two-three days without travelling," Morkel told reporters in Chennai.
"He is with (assistant coach) Lance Klusener and the rest of the guys in Lucknow, training and getting ready. So I think, anything from the next game onwards, we'll look to bring him back in," he added.
Morkel said Mayank's recent start in bowling shows promising progress, with efforts now directed towards hitting the 150 kmph mark consistently.
"He's coming along very nicely. We're very happy with his progression. He started bowling three-four days ago, so for him it's just a matter now, of course of him, the expectation is greater, (given) that he bowls every ball at 150 kmph.
"It's just to really get his body and his mind in that sort of state where he's confident, running and bowling all four overs at a tight pace."
In their last match, the reigning champion Chennai Super Kings lost by eight wickets at Lucknow.
Morkel knows that after they return home, the IPL heavyweights would want to set the record straight.
"They plan well, and they've got a coach and they've got the experience of MS (Dhoni) and all the international players.
"It is definitely a team that you need to be on the money from ball one. You can't afford to give them that momentum, because once you give that momentum away from them, or once they have momentum, it's very hard to pull the game back.
"We'll have to be confident, especially after beating them with eight wickets in the last game. It's a team that you can't afford to be in a back foot, so from a mental point of view, we'll have to stand up in all the battles, in all departments, with bat, ball and field," Morkel added.
(With PTI inputs)
