Why Shardul Thakur is not playing today’s match between MI, LSG? | Cricket News

Lucknow: Lucknow Super Giants’ Shardul Thakur warms up earlier than an Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 T20 cricket match between Lucknow Super Giants and Chennai Super Kings, at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, in Lucknow. (PTI Photo/Atul Yadav) *** Local Caption ***

Mayank Yadav has changed Shardul Thakur within the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) playing XI in opposition to Mumbai Indians on the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.
After an prolonged rehabilitation on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Centre of Excellence (CoE), tempo sensation Mayank Yadav joined LSG on April 16 however needed to wait earlier than making his return.

Captain Rishabh Pant gained the toss and opted to discipline first in opposition to Mumbai Indians.
“We are bowling first. We feel the wicket is still on the batting side. It is a day game. We want to make use of the slightly drier conditions under the sun. It will get better for batting during the second innings,” he mentioned on the toss.

“We are in a good space, and personally, it is easier to put the team ahead, which makes it easier. Definitely, it feels good. Personally, I don’t think about it too much. We are taking every day as a new day.
“Just one change. Instead of Shardul, Mayank is available in.”
Mayank’s last competitive game was back in October 2024 when he featured in the T20I against Bangladesh in Hyderabad. He has been out of action since then because of a back injury.
Who’s that IPL player?
His comeback was further delayed by a toe injury during his time at the CoE.
With a history of injury issues — as many as five stress fractures in the last two years — the LSG camp has operated with caution as far as Mayank is concerned.

Even in the 2024 edition of IPL, he played only four games and was ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a side strain.
On the other hand, Mumbai Indians have made two changes, bringing in Karn Sharma for Mitchell Santner and debutant Corbin Bosch for Vignesh Puthur.
Playing XIs
Mumbai Indians: Ryan Rickelton (wk), Rohit Sharma, Will Jacks, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (capt), Naman Dhir, Corbin Bosch, Trent Boult, Deepak Chahar, Karn Sharma
Lucknow Super Giants: Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant(wk/capt), Abdul Samad, Ayush Badoni, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav