Prince Yadav announced himself on the big stage with a sensational spell for Lucknow Supergiants against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2026, earning high praise from former India batsman Ambati Rayudu for what many are calling the “ball of the tournament”.“Playing in a rain-shortened 19-over clash at the Ekana Stadium, Prince produced a patch of delivery to dismiss Virat Kohli for a wicket during RCB’s chase. Bowling at 140.4 kmph, the young fast bowler delivered a blistering nip-backer that bent viciously after pitching, swung more than 1.4 degrees, pierced the tiny gap between bat and pad and hit the off-stump. Kohli was stunned as the LSG players erupted in celebration.The wicket had an added significance. It was Kohli’s first IPL duck since 2023 and his first wicket in the chase in nine years. The last time he fell for a duck in the chase was in 2017 when RCB were bowled out for 49 against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens.Prince did not stop there. He finished with impressive figures of 3/33, instrumental in LSG’s nine-run DLS win that kept their play-off hopes alive.
Speaking on ESPNcricinfo’s Time Out Show, Rayudu was full of praise for the young fast bowler.“Many bowlers bowl one or two good balls in an over. This man bowls about four to five. That’s his strength, I don’t think any batsman in the world can play like that,” Rayudu said.Rayudu further backed Prince for the top honours, saying the fast bowler has the qualities to succeed in all formats.“I think he’ll treat standing up. [to] Seriously, in slips, watching this guy bowl – unbelievable. It would be a pleasure to stand in front of him in first or second slip. He is also a potential 50-over bowler. I think he is an all-format bowler, the way he is looking right now,” Rayudu added.Former New Zealand cricketer Katie Martin was equally impressed and described Kohli’s delivery as a fast bowler’s dream.“You have to look at it as the ball of the tournament. Not just because of the way he was able to swing late, back into the stumps, top off, effectively, your perfect delivery and maybe something that Prince Yadav dreams of. About that particular delivery, especially to Virat Kohli, which we thought would be a really key factor in that chase as well.Rayudu also highlighted how enjoyable it would be for Prince to field behind in the slips due to his ability to consistently beat the bat.“I think he’s going to be a treat to stand in the slips. Seriously, to watch the guy bowl, it’s unbelievable.
