Bhubaneswar, March 26 -- Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has said the upcoming IPL season presents a crucial opportunity for young pacer Mayank Yadav to establish himself on a bigger stage with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).

Mayank burst onto the scene as a standout performer for LSG, making an immediate impact in his debut game by claiming three wickets for 27 runs in his four overs. His raw pace quickly grabbed attention, consistently clocking speeds above 150 km/h, with a top delivery recorded at 155.8 km/h. He was even named Player of the Match in his first two appearances, underlining his early promise.

However, injuries have hampered his progress. Over the past two seasons, the right-arm pacer has managed to feature in only six...