2 LSG, 1 KKR pacer picked for Asian Games 2026 as net bowlers on head coach Laxman's request: Report

India’s pace sensation Mayank Yadav and uncapped pacers Kartik Tyagi and Mohsin Khan are set to board the flight to Japan for Asian Games 2026 to help India batters as net bowlers. As per a report by PTI, stand-in head coach VVS Laxman had requested the trio’s services for the gold medal defense.

"They are not part of official Indian contingent and will only be there till the Indian men play their first game on September 26, provided the BCCI can arrange for their Japanese visa on time before the team departs from Delhi on September 20," the source told PTI.

ALSO READ: Prabhsimran Singh sends message to selectors with 2nd consecutive century after getting dropped from T20I squad

Mayank, Tyagi, Mohsin’s recent numbers

Mayank was recently dropped from the T20I squad. He had taken five wickets on the Zimbabwe tour, including a three-fer in the last match of the series. So far, he has played six ODIs and bagged nine wickets at an average of 17.22 and economy rate under seven runs per over. Earlier, he could play just four games for Lucknow Super Giants in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 and remained wicketless.

ALSO READ: BCCI takes big step to avoid injuries to key players, masterplan revealed after meeting with coach and captains

Tyagi bowled with good pace on his IPL return. In the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) jersey, he played all 14 league games and bagged 18 wickets at an average of 27.66. His economy rate was under 10 runs per over. He is yet to receive his maiden T20I call-up. 

LSG's left-arm pacer Mohsin is yet to get his maiden T20I call-up as well. The injury-prone pacer played seven games for LSG in IPL 2026 and returned with 11 wickets at an average of 20.72 and economy rate just over eight runs per over. He registered a five-wicket haul against KKR.

When will India play their 1st match of Asian Games 2026?

The Shreyas Iyer-led side will begin their campaign on September 28 as they have earned direct entry into the quarterfinal stage.

India’s squad for Asian Games 2026

Shreyas Iyer (c), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.