LUCKNOW, March 22 -- After a sensational IPL debut in 2024 where he won back-to-back Player-of-the-Match awards in his first two games, Mayank Yadav was expected to be on fire once again when he returned to action in 2025 following an injury break. But the pacer was ruled out for the entire season due to a recurring injury, and Lucknow Super Giants signed William O'Rourke as his replacement. Now, Mayank's third IPL season for LSG brings a wave of new hope. Given his present form, the Delhi pacer is gearing up for an injury-free season under bowling coach Bharat Arun's sharp eye. Before bowling at 150kph during a practice match against Kashi Rudras, an UP T20 League side, here on Thursday, he was quite impressive in two different training sessions. Mayank's speed has impressed his teammates, including skipper Rishabh Pant, who called him "scary, fiery, amazing" and even a "bowling missile" on social media. All these admirations have added extra responsibility on the bowler. Mayank exploded onto the IPL when he clocked 156.7kph - the 2024 season's fastest ball - vs PBKS. Just 21 then, the slingy action and raw speed evoked memories of legendary quicks, drawing an instant India T20I call-up. But glory proved fleeting. A lower abdominal strain sidelined him after four matches in 2024, followed by a lumbar stress fracture in 2025 that limited him to two games. Hamstring tears, toe infections, and back surgery in New Zealand compounded his woes, erasing a full domestic season. Despite this, LSG retained him for Rs.11 crore pre-auction, betting on his X-factor. At BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, Mayank achieved 90 percent bowling fitness by early 2026, managing 18 overs weekly with boosted strength. Gradual workload hikes avoided past pitfalls, blending rehab with high-intensity fielding drills. Now at LSG's camp, he is sharp and quick in the nets, his rhythm intact, and his pace teasing 150kph plus. "The body adapts in time," he noted. Enter Arun, with India Test triumphs under his belt. The veteran, who honed talents like Mohammed Shami, enforces meticulous monitoring: biomechanics tweaks, core fortification, and spell management for the rhythm-seeker unused to long hauls. And Arun's watchful gaze ensures Mayank bowls smarter, not just faster, which is key for a tearaway prone to breakdowns. Mayank's coach at Delhi's Sonnet Club, Devendra Sharma is excited to see his trainee in good rhythm. "He (Mayank) has done proper rehab and is in good nick to bowl beyond 150kph. I monitored his speed before he joined the LSG camp and I am confident about him enjoying his full IPL season without injury," Sharma said on Friday. "I am pretty sure about his success this time as he has got perfect technique of pace bowling," he added. Mayank, who will be anchoring LSG's pace attack alongside Avesh Khan, Shami and Mohsin Khan, has displayed sharp control and pace, echoing his 2024 exploits. It is enough for his fans to see rival batters flinching at yorkers and bouncers whistling past helmets. His evolution from run-up-less teen to calibrated weapon promises fireworks if fitness holds. Arun as well as chief coach Justin Langer are monitoring his love for speed as they too want the bowler to remain injury-free and enjoy his full season without any break....