New Delhi: 22-year-old Madhav Tiwary enters IPL 2026 without any senior-level experience. He only appeared in four matches during the season, but that short time was enough to gain attention and announce his arrival on the big stage.Hailing from Muganj in Madhya Pradesh’s Rewa district, Madhav now wants to take the next step in his cricketing journey – first by establishing himself in domestic cricket for his state and then pursuing his ultimate dream of representing India.“Dreams are many, playing for India for 15 years. [I have a lot of dreams. My biggest dream is to play for India and represent the country for 15 years]Madhav said TimesofIndia.com In an exclusive interviewMadhav was a part of Delhi Capitals squad in IPL 2025 but managed to play only one game. Most of his time was spent waiting in the dugout, carrying drinks and supporting the team. Success finally came in IPL 2026 when he earned a place in the playing eleven and took four wickets in three matches. His skull had great names – Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Shubham DubeyPriyansh Arya and Cooper Connolly.What makes Madhav’s rise even more remarkable is that he never really developed as a bowler. In fact, he was primarily a batsman before his bowling prowess was recognized and nurtured. Under the guidance of former India cricketer Umay Khurasia, Madhav worked extensively on both his batting and bowling, gradually transforming himself into a true all-rounder.His all-round abilities were on display after dismissing Priyansh Arya and Cooper Connolly. With Delhi Capitals under pressure during a chase, Madhav produced a valuable cameo to drive his team home.Facing the very first ball of his IPL career, he showed great tenacity, swaying on the back foot and driving the delivery past square for a boundary. In the next over, he hit a six followed by a four, helping Delhi Capitals complete the chase in style. The youngster’s ‘I am 100% batsman and 100% bowler’ comment said it all after the match.
Madhav Tiwari of Delhi Capitals (AP Photo)
Madhu and ‘Kharab’ find a state of love. Known in Madhya Pradesh cricket circles as a ‘bad situation’ boy and a stubborn competitor who thrives under pressure, Madhu once again found himself in the kind of situation he enjoys most – and delivers when it counts.He said that this is not the first time when I found myself in such a situation. I actually enjoy these moments. I love to play under pressure and thankfully I have been able to perform well under pressure.“I can share one incident. There was an U-23 match for Madhya Pradesh where we needed a win to qualify for the semi-finals. The required run-rate was high and we were under pressure. I went in and scored 86 off 32 balls. I enjoyed the innings a lot. We won the match and qualified. It was the same against Punjab Kings in the IPL and it was my first time playing in the IPL. Calm, composed and happy. I thought I could contribute to the team’s victory,” said the 22-year-old.“Ume sir has played a huge role in my career. He made me mentally strong from a very young age. He always told me, ‘If you want to play for India, you need to excel in every department – batting, bowling and fielding.’ He also emphasized on fitness. He would always say that talent can help you play for India, but how long you stay there depends on your fitness. This is something you should never take lightly,” he said.“My immediate goal is to establish myself in the Ranji Trophy and continue to perform in domestic cricket for my state. I want to take one step at a time. But the dream of playing for India always remains. That is the ultimate goal. I want to represent India and hopefully do it for a long time,” added the teenager.
Learning materialsMadhav, who was bought for Rs 40 lakh in the IPL 2025 auction, was retained by Delhi Capitals for the 2026 season.As an aspiring all-rounder, he entered the tournament determined to make the most of the opportunity and gain as much knowledge from the star-studded Delhi Capitals dressing room that included the likes of Akshar Patel, KL Rahul, Tristan Stubbs, Mitchell StarcDavid Miller and many other major international cricketers.“First of all, everyone made me feel very comfortable. It never felt like these were players I’d only seen on TV and now I was sharing a dressing room with. The environment was extremely supportive. You can go to someone for advice, talk about the game, share your thoughts, or ask questions whenever you want. The seniors made everything easy for me. I learned a lot from all of them and made good relationships. To be honest, I had a very good relationship with Langi. I also have a very good relationship with Akshar Bhai and Kuldeep Bhaiya,” said Madhav.“The captain gave us complete freedom to express ourselves and play our natural game. You can share your plans and ideas, and he will give his feedback whenever he feels it is necessary. But it never felt like he was forcing anything on you. He was always very supportive. I’ve always believed that if you push yourself and are mentally prepared for any level, it’s only a matter of time before you get there. Be it club cricket or any other level, the principle remains the same. I never felt that lack of exposure would hold me back. I was confident that I can face international bowlers, play in the IPL and perform at that level.“I bowled to Akshar and KL Rahul and faced Mitchell Starc and David Miller in the nets. It was a huge learning experience for me. What would be the pressure, they all taught me. [They taught me what pressure at the highest level really means]. Miller especially helped me understand the true meaning of being an all-rounder. It takes a lot to become a true all-rounder, and these interactions taught me a lot,” Madhav signed off.
