Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: For someone who once played cricket only for the thrill of neighbourhood battles with a tennis ball, Prince Yadav now dares to dream on the biggest stage of all. The young Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) pacer recently revealed an emotional ambition that instantly struck a chord with Indian cricket fans. “I want to play the 2027 World Cup with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli and win it for them,” Prince said in a video shared by the franchise. It was not merely a statement of ambition; it was a tribute from a youngster who grew up idolising two giants of Indian cricket.
Prince’s journey makes that dream even more powerful. Watch the video:Raised in Dariyapur Khurd on the outskirts of Delhi, he was once scolded regularly by his father for spending endless hours playing tennis-ball cricket in the streets. Professional cricket was never part of the plan. Farming occupied the family, and cricket was simply a passion that refused to leave him. Yet the same tennis-ball culture shaped his bowling identity: sharp yorkers, raw pace and relentless effort.Today, the 24-year-old is emerging as one of the most exciting uncapped fast bowlers in the IPL. Coaches speak highly of his swing, variations and hunger to improve. Prince himself remains grounded, often returning to his village and helping with farming whenever he gets time away from cricket. That simplicity perhaps explains why his World Cup dream feels so genuine.The road has not been smooth either. A two-year suspension for age-fudging could have ended his career before it truly began. Instead, Prince trained quietly, sharpened his skills and returned stronger. Mentors like Mohammed Shami, Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma have since guided his growth, helping him understand both fast bowling and life beyond the field.It is about sharing a dressing room with the heroes he admired from afar and giving something back to Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, two players who inspired an entire generation, including a boy from a small Delhi village with a tennis ball in hand.
