Virat Kohli and Prince Yadav (Image: X) Prince Yadav announced himself on the big stage with a sensational spell for Lucknow Super Giants against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2026, earning huge praise from former India batsman Ambati Rayudu after delivering what many are calling the ‘ball of the tournament’.Playing in the rain-shortened 19-over encounter at the Ekana Stadium, Prince produced a peach of a catch to dismiss Virat Kohli for a duck during RCB’s chase. Bowled at 140.4 km/h, the young pacer produced a sharp shell that came to a sharp stop after being pitched, spun more than 1.4 degrees, pierced the small gap between the bat and the pad and crashed into the stumps. Kohli was left stunned as the LSG players erupted in celebration.The goal had a special meaning. This marked Kohli’s first IPL duck since 2023 and his first wicket in the chase in nine years. He last fell for a duck in a chase during RCB’s infamous collapse for 49 all out against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens in 2017.Prince didn’t stop there. He finished with excellent figures of 3/33 and played a key role in LSG’s nine-run victory in the DLS that kept their play-off hopes alive.
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Is everything wrong with Suryakumar Yadav’s wrist? | Exclusive visualsSpeaking 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 mixes four to five. That’s his strength, I don’t think any batsman in the world can play that,” said Rayudu.Rayudu further backed Prince for higher honours, saying the pacer has the attributes to succeed across formats.“I think he’s going to be a treat to stand in the slips. Seriously, to watch that guy bowl – unbelievable. It’s going to be an absolute joy to stand in the first or second slip to him. He’s also a potential 50 bowler. I think he’s an all-rounder as he looks right now,” Rayudu added.Former New Zealand cricketer Katey Martin was equally impressed, describing Kohli’s delivery as a perfect fast bowler’s dream.“You have to see it as the ball of the tournament. Not just the way he managed to swing late, back to the stumps, on top, effectively, your perfect delivery and maybe something that Prince Yadav dreams of. That particular delivery, especially Virat Kohli, who we thought would be a really key factor in this chase as well,” she said.Rayudu also highlighted how comfortable it would be for Prince to line up behind in the slips thanks to his ability to consistently beat the bat.“I think he’s going to be a treat standing in the slips. Seriously, it’s incredible to watch the guy bowl. He’s a potential 50-plus player as well. I think he’s an all-format bowler.”
