NEW DELHI: In a gripping encounter of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) clinched a thrilling victory against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Thursday, thanks to the sensational performance of emerging talent, Prince Yadav.
At the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, the match was poised on a knife-edge when the relatively unknown Yadav stepped up to dismiss the dangerous Travis Head. Head had already amassed 47 runs off just 28 balls, threatening to single-handedly take the game away from LSG. However, in a dramatic eighth over, Yadav delivered a full-pitched delivery on middle and off, deceiving Head who aimed for a heave but missed completely. The ball thundered into the stumps, leaving the Uppal crowd in stunned silence. The LSG team, led by a jubilant Zaheer Khan, erupted in celebration as the 23-year-old seamer celebrated his first IPL scalp.
Born on December 12, 2001, Prince Yadav has rapidly ascended the ranks of Indian cricket. A product of the Delhi Premier League, his breakthrough came during the 2024 season playing for Rishabh Pant’s Purani Delhi 6 franchise, where he impressed with 13 wickets in 10 matches. His unique ability to vary his pace without altering his action significantly marked him out as a special talent.
His performances did not go unnoticed on the domestic front either. After making an immediate impact in the 2024-25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he claimed two crucial wickets against Uttar Pradesh, including a well-set Nitish Rana and Sameer Rizvi, Yadav caught the attention of IPL scouts. Just one day after his SMAT debut, he was snapped up by the Lucknow Super Giants at the IPL 2025 mega auction for Rs 30 lakh.
Continuing his outstanding form, Yadav became Delhi’s highest wicket-taker in SMAT 2024-25, securing 11 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 7.54, helping his team reach the semi-finals. With LSG facing an injury-hit bowling lineup, Yadav’s ability to deliver under pressure and take significant wickets has quickly established him as a player to watch in the IPL 2025 season.