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Ian Bishop Defends Mayank Yadav After Negative Comments in IPL 2026 Comeback

Lucknow Super Giants pacer Mayank Yadav made a comeback in IPL 2026 after a 353-day injury layoff but faced sharp online criticism for his expensive bowling. Former West Indies fast bowler Ian Bishop defended Yadav, calling the negative comments 'horrifying' and highlighting his recovery from a career-threatening back injury. Yadav clocked 150kph but conceded 20 runs in the final over, finishing with figures of 0-56. Rajasthan Royals won the match by 40 runs after bowling out LSG for 119.

Key Points: Ian Bishop Slams Critics of Mayank Yadav's IPL Return

  • Mayank Yadav returns after 353 days from back injury
  • Ian Bishop defends pacer against online criticism
  • Yadav clocks 150kph but concedes 20 runs in final over
  • RR beats LSG by 40 runs in IPL 2026 match
2 min read

IPL 2026: Seeing negative comments about Mayank Yadav is horrifying, says Ian Bishop

Ian Bishop calls negative comments about Mayank Yadav 'horrifying' after pacer's expensive return in IPL 2026 following a year-long injury layoff.

"To see negative comments about Mayank Yadav today is horrifying. The kid nearly lost his career & livelihood at 21yrs. - Ian Bishop"

New Delhi, April 23

Lucknow Super Giants pacer Mayank Yadav's expensive return to action in the Indian Premier League 2026 after a year-long injury layoff drew sharp criticism online. But former West Indies fast bowler Ian Bishop has come out strongly in his defence, calling the negative comments for Yadav 'horrifying'.

Yadav, 23, played his first professional match in 353 days against the Rajasthan Royals at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. Yadav had missed most of the last two IPL seasons due to recurring back problems. He had missed the first half of IPL 2025 and managed only two games before another back injury, which needed surgery in New Zealand, sidelined him for nearly a year.

"To see negative comments about Mayank Yadav today is horrifying. The kid nearly lost his career & livelihood at 21yrs. Just to see him play again is huge boost. The fact that he clocked 150kph again is a miracle. At 23yrs just pray for him that he stays fit. The control will come," Bishop wrote on his 'X' account on Thursday.

Yadav bowled with pace, including crossing the 150kph mark, but conceded 20 runs in the final over of the innings, with veteran left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja hitting him for boundaries. The right-arm pacer finished with figures of 0-56 from four overs, the most expensive among his LSG bowling colleagues in the match.

Jadeja tearing into Yadav meant he finished unbeaten on 43 off 29 balls, as RR ended up at 159/6. RR, the inaugural IPL champions, then dished out a disciplined bowling performance to bowl out LSG for 119 in 18 overs to win by 40 runs. LSG will next face three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders in Lucknow on Sunday evening.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

K
Kavya N
Honestly, I get both sides. Ian Bishop is right to defend a young player coming back from injury. But fans who pay for tickets and watch their team lose have a right to be frustrated too. That last over was painful to watch. Let's give him 2-3 matches before judging though.
R
Raghav A
Bishop is a legend for saying this. Indian cricket fans can be brutal. The same people who were trolling Mayank yesterday will be cheering for him when he takes a fifer next match. Let him breathe and settle! The boy has pace, which is rare in Indian fast bowling history.
N
Nikhil C
I understand the frustration because LSG lost, but it's just one match. Mayank is only 23. After that serious back surgery, just being on the field is a victory. Bishop's point is spot on - we need to nurture this talent, not tear him down on social media. 🙏🔥
V
Vishal D
Bishop's words carry weight because he's been through it himself. Fast bowlers know the struggle of injuries. Mayank has the speed but needs time to rebuild rhythm. If we keep pushing him too hard, he'll break again. Let's support him, not troll him. Jai Hind 🇮🇳🏏
I
Ishita S
That 150+ speed was electrifying to watch again! Yes, he was expensive, but that's part of the comeback. Jadeja is an experienced player, he'll dominate any young bowler. Bishop is 100% right - we should be happy to see Mayank bowling again. The rhythm will come with matches.

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