The IPL 2025 encounter between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Thursday became the stage for an emerging talent to shine brightly. Prince Yadav, a name less familiar before the season, etched his mark in the IPL by securing his maiden wicket, none other than the in-form Travis Head, who was threatening to dominate the game.
The pressure was palpable for LSG as Head, aggressive at the crease, had already notched up 47 runs from just 28 deliveries. In a pivotal eighth over, Prince Yadav turned the tide. Delivering a full ball on middle and off, he outsmarted the Australian, who, aiming to heave the ball, completely missed it, leading to the stumps being rattled and the Uppal crowd falling silent. The LSG dugout, led by the excitement of Zaheer Khan, burst into applause as the young 23-year-old seamer celebrated this crucial breakthrough.
Born on December 12, 2001, Prince Yadav, a right-arm fast bowler, climbed the ranks through the Delhi Premier League. His notable season in 2024 with Rishabh Pant’s Purani Delhi 6 franchise, where he captured 13 wickets in 10 matches by skillfully varying his pace while maintaining his action, paved his way to glory.
His rise continued into the domestic circuit, making an immediate impact in his white-ball debut for Delhi during the 2024-25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT). Here, he claimed two vital wickets against Uttar Pradesh, dismissing both the set Nitish Rana and Sameer Rizvi.
Recognition followed swiftly; the very next day after his SMAT debut, the IPL 2025 mega auction saw LSG securing his talents for a bid of Rs 30 lakh. Maintaining his exceptional form, Prince emerged as Delhi’s top wicket-taker in SMAT 2024-25, with 11 scalps at an impressive economy rate of 7.54, propelling his team to the semi-finals.
With his knack for delivering under pressure and taking significant wickets, Prince Yadav has rapidly established himself as a player of keen interest within the Lucknow Super Giants‘ injury-hit bowling lineup during IPL 2025.