Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) received a boost after pacer Akash Deep recovered from a long injury lay-off and joined the squad ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 clash against Mumbai Indians in Lucknow.

LSG had formed an India-heavy pace unit heading into the season, but started the campaign with four of their Indian pacers out with injury. While Mohsin Khan was replaced by Shardul Thakur, LSG waited on the return of Avesh Khan, Akash Deep and Mayank Yadav.

Avesh Khan recovered from his injury issue and linked up with the squad after the season opener, which saw LSG go down to Delhi Capitals by 1 wicket in Visakhapatnam.

They, however, bounced back in the second match against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Hyderabad, where Avesh made his return.

In the third match, their first home outing, LSG suffered an 8-wicket loss to Punjab Kings. Rishabh Pant's side will be desperate to bounce back when they face Mumbai Indians at the BRSABV Ekana Stadium in Lucknow today. But will they have a fully fit squad to do that? Here is a look at the latest injury news:

Will Akash Deep play for Lucknow Super Giants against Mumbai Indians?

The pacer has been cleared to play by the medical team at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (National Cricket Academy).

Having joined the squad only on the eve of the match, there is no guarantee he starts, but the pacer himself is keen to get involved.

Akash Deep fitness update: Ahead of the LSG vs MI match, LSG pacer Akash Deep said that he is "100 per cent fit and ready" to play following a back injury that kept him away from the sport for last three months.

If he does get the nod, this match could mark the return to Akash Deep, who played two Tests in Australia during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy last year and faced an injury ahead of the fifth Test at Sydney.

He could replace Prince Yadav in the eleven although it will be harsh on the Uttar Pradesh pacer.

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"I feel the first match is very important for me. I have played one practice match, but in cricket when you get a two to three-month gap, no matter how much you practice, till you do not play a match, the confidence does not build," Akash Deep said at the pre-match presser, according to ESPNCricinfo.

Akash's last T20 match was for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) during the IPL 2024 back in April. He has played eight matches for the franchise since 2022 till last year, getting seven wickets.

This is his only T20 match in the last year and a half, having played in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy from October to November 2023. He was released by RCB ahead of the 2024 Mega Auction and brought into the LSG fold for Rs eight crores.

"The jersey changes but the player remains the same and I am really enjoying my time with this franchise. I have not been with the team for long because of injury, but I feel quite confident," Akash said.

"As an individual, you should believe in your process and focus on that process. The easier you keep your game, the easier it gets to perform. For this type of tournament, staying confident becomes very important for a player," he added.