LSG pacer Mayank Yadav bowls during the game against MI at Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. | AFP
Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) mentor Zaheer Khan looked at Mayank Yadav’s performance as the silver lining in their 54-run loss to Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium.
Zaheer was elated with pacer Mayank’s performance (2/40) as he is on a comeback trail with the Lucknow side.
“Someone who was coming back after many months to get back into the game is always tough. It is one hurdle that one needs to cross as a bowler. That’s how I am looking at it and that’s why if you see our side the effort was to bring him in as an impact bowler. Especially in this format where the batters are coming hard at you. So I’m glad that he is got through the game.
I’m hopeful that with the scheduling that we have there will be enough breaks for us to recover and go again. I’m happy with the way he bowled,” he added.
The former India pace spearhead stated LSG faced a conundrum with the reliance on their top three batters.
“Spot on. I think the reliance on top three has been the template of the season for us (laughs) and we want it to continue which we badly need as a team. All of us have been making that conscious effort of creating that fearless approach. Looking at the process there is definitely a grip as LSG. As a group, we are definitely looking forward to this break so we can iron out the things that are creeping in so that the top order can continue their good work and the middle order needs to fire.”
Zaheer denied that skipper Rishabh Pant was under any pressure to justify his price tag of being the most expensive player in IPL history.
“I won’t relate it to anything like that you know. It’s a team and he is a leader. And he has been fantastic as a leader. The kind of efforts he has been taking to ensure each and every individual is comfortable and heard and planning to do with everything going around the IPL is fantastic. In the middle order, we are dependent on Rishabh and the impact we want from him will come. It’s about something clicking.”
The LSG mentor also explained the work behind getting Mayank Yadav ready for the season.
“I think its going and executing and doing the job for the team. We have had constant dialogue with the NCA (now CoE). I have had lots of conversations with the physios and have updated them on how he should be approaching and what kind of program he should be following to just flourish.”
Zaheer said he couldn’t pinpoint any single reason as to why they were not able to get through the line.
“You can’t pinpoint and what matters is how you prepare for a game. What kind of time and energy you put in the game.”
When asked about the decision to bowl first, Zaheer felt the wicket can change sometimes in day games.
“We have seen in many day games when the sun goes down and the lights come on, the pitch gets better. Rickelton started really well and put the bowlers under pressure. Surya then doing what he does best, it was challenging,” he added.
