sports desk39 minutes ago
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Prince Yadav celebrating the wicket of Phil Allen in the match against Kolkata Knight Riders.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) fast bowler Prince Yadav does not need any identity today. But there was a time when his father Ram Niwas Yadav used to say to his wife, you are spoiling the prince. Today the same son has converted his father’s fear into pride by taking wickets of legendary players in the IPL.
Prince is Lucknow’s top wicket taker in this IPL season. He has taken 11 wickets in 6 matches. He has overtaken experienced bowlers like Mohammed Shami in the wicket list of the franchise. Prince was recently called for the India-A team, but he could not play due to a knee injury.
Father was scared after seeing Lucknow squad
According to Indian Express, when Prince signed a contract with Lucknow Super Giants, father Ram Niwas was nervous after seeing the list of names. He told Prince, Mayank Yadav, Avesh Khan, Mohsin Khan and Sachin Tendulkar’s son Arjun are also in that team, how will your number be? He was afraid that his son would not get a chance among such big players.
Left government job and chose cricket
Retired ASI Ram Niwas from Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) wanted the Prince to join the police or army. Prince had passed the physical examination of Delhi Police, but did not go to appear for the written examination. At the age of 18, Prince had clearly told his father, if I bowl at a speed of 145-150, then who will stop me.
Struggle and journey from village to IPL
Prince comes from Dariyapur Khurd village of Delhi, where there was neither a cricket academy nor anyone in the family had made sports a career. He used to travel 3 hours daily to North-West Delhi for training. Mother Santosh supported him in this struggle and kept encouraging him despite his father’s displeasure.
2 year ban and fear of career ending
Prince’s career came to a halt in 2019 when BCCI banned him for 2 years for hiding his age for Delhi Under-19. The father thought that the game was over now, but after the lockdown, Prince returned as a net bowler in 2023.
DPL changed its fortunes, bought for 30 lakhs
The turning point of Prince’s career became Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2024. Playing for Old Delhi-6, he took the first hat-trick of the tournament and took 13 wickets. On the basis of this performance, Lucknow Super Giants bought him for Rs 30 lakh in the November auction.
