India's express pacer Mayank Yadav is likely to miss the T20I series at home against England. Mayank who has not played a game since the T20I series against Bangladesh in OCtober in 2024, is still recovering from a back injury.
As per a report by TOI, Mayank is yet to recover from the back injury. That's the reason why he is not among probables for Delhi's clash against Saurashtra in the second leg of Ranji Trophy 2024-25.
"He's suffering from a back injury and is unlikely to be fit for the England series. He hasn't even been named amongst the probables for Delhi's first Ranji match of the second leg against Saurashtra from January 23," a source in the BCCI told TOI.
Mayank missed the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024 and the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25. He has been injury prone and there has not been an update from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding his recovery for months.
Mayank's debut T20I series
Last year, after recovering from an injury he suffered during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, Mayank made his T20I debut against Bangladesh. In his debut series, he bagged four wickets at an average of 20.75. His economy rate was under seven runs per over.
Mayank not ready for red-ball cricket
National Cricket Academy (NCA) head VVS Laxman had earlier indicated that Mayank is currently not fit to play red-ball cricket. His last and only first-class appearance was in December 2022. His last appearance in domestic cricket was in December 2023.
Squad announcement for T20Is
The five-T20I series will begin on January 22 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. India have not lost a bilateral T20I series to England since 2014. In Mayank's absence, Harshit Rana is likely to make his T20I debut.
Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah is set to miss the T20I series against England due to a back spasm. Also, there is a question mark over Mohammed Shami's return to international cricket despite him playing regular domestic cricket. The squad announcement is likely to be made on January 11.