Kamal Ghorui
Prince Yadav announced himself on the big stage with a sensational spell for Lucknow Super Giants against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2026, earning massive praise from former India batter Ambati Rayudu after delivering what many are calling the “ball of the tournament.”Playing in a rain-shortened 19-over clash at the Ekana Stadium, Prince produced a peach of a delivery to dismiss Virat Kohli for a duck during RCB’s chase. Bowling at 140.4 kph, the young pacer delivered a sharp nip-backer that jagged in viciously after pitching, swung more than 1.4 degrees, pierced the tiny gap between bat and pad, and crashed into the off stump. Kohli was left stunned as the LSG players erupted in celebration.The wicket carried extra significance. It marked Kohli’s first IPL duck since 2023 and his first zero while chasing in nine years. The last time he had fallen for a duck in a chase came during RCB’s infamous collapse to 49 all out against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens in 2017.Prince didn’t stop there. He finished with outstanding figures of 3/33, playing a crucial role in LSG’s nine-run DLS victory that kept their playoff hopes alive.
Speaking on ESPNcricinfo’s TimeOut show, Rayudu was full of admiration for the young fast bowler.”A lot of bowlers bowl one or two good balls in an over. This guy bowls about four to five. That’s his strength, I don’t think any batsman in the world can play that,” Rayudu said.Rayudu further backed Prince for higher honours, saying the pacer has the qualities to succeed across formats.“I think he’ll be a treat to stand [to] in the slips. Seriously, to watch this guy bowl – unbelievable. It’ll be a total pleasure to stand in first or second slip to him. He is a potential 50-over bowler as well. I think he’s an all-format bowler, the way he’s looking right now” Rayudu added.Former New Zealand cricketer Katey Martin was equally impressed and described the delivery to Kohli as the perfect fast bowler’s dream.“You have to see that as the ball of the tournament. Not just because of the way he was able to swing late as well, back into the stumps, top of off, effectively, your perfect delivery and maybe something that Prince Yadav dreams of. Of that particular delivery, especially to Virat Kohli, who we thought was going to be a really key factor in that chase as well” she said.Rayudu also highlighted how enjoyable Prince would be to field behind in the slips due to his ability to consistently beat the bat.“I think he’ll be a treat to stand to in the slips. Seriously, to watch this guy bowl, unbelievable. He is a potential 50-over bowler as well. I think he’s an all-format bowler.”
