Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have received a significant morale boost ahead of their upcoming clash against Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Scheduled to take place on Friday at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, this match is crucial for LSG as they look to turn their season around with a vital win.
Indian pace sensation Akash Deep joined the LSG camp late Thursday night, recovering from a back injury sustained during the grueling Border-Gavaskar Test series against Australia. His arrival has been confirmed to be on schedule after diligent rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), with reports indicating he started bowling prior to the tournament and was expected to join by the end of March.
The decision to include Akash Deep in the squad was given the green light by the Indian team management, who prioritized his full recovery due to his pivotal role in the upcoming Test series against England, starting June 20. With his full-throttle bowling sessions in the nets, the management felt confident in his readiness to rejoin competitive cricket.
Akash Deep’s inclusion is a major enhancement for LSG’s bowling lineup, especially given the injury setbacks faced by other team members. Key bowler Mayank Yadav’s recovery from a lumbar stress injury was recently complicated by a toe injury, sidelining him for the foreseeable future. Additionally, left-arm pacer Mohsin Khan was ruled out of action after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) last December.
In the IPL, Akash Deep has previously demonstrated his capability, securing seven wickets from eight games in the league. LSG acquired him at the mega auction ahead of the 2025 season for a hefty sum of Rs 8 crores, underscoring their confidence in his talent and potential.
With the seasoned guidance of mentor Zaheer Khan, the coming weeks will be critical for Akash Deep as he hones his skills, particularly for bowling in the challenging English conditions ahead of the Test series.
Currently, LSG have managed to secure only one victory from their first three encounters in the IPL 2025 campaign. Facing MI next, LSG will be eager to capitalize on Akash Deep’s return to boost their playoff chances.