Prince Yadav’s journey to professional cricket has been anything but conventional. Until he was 17, he had no experience with leather balls and played primarily with tennis balls. His beginnings were modest, bowling in village tournaments around his home near Delhi.
Rise to Prominence in Domestic Cricket
Today, Prince stands out as a key player for Delhi in limited-overs formats. His impressive performances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy last season, where he took the most wickets for Delhi, earned him a spot in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
Although the IPL did not start ideally for him—he played six matches, claimed three wickets, and maintained an economy rate of 9.85—LSG chose to retain him due to his continued success in domestic tournaments. Currently, he has achieved 16 wickets in seven matches during the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, showcasing a significantly improved economy rate of 5.03.
Background and Early Struggles
Born in Dariyapur Khurd, a village near Najafgarh, Prince was raised in a family with different aspirations. His father, Ramniwas, hoped he would pursue a stable career, similar to his sister, who is a government school teacher. However, Prince’s passion lay in cricket.
“I often skipped school to play tennis-ball cricket,” he recounts. Initially, he funded his own participation in various matches until he began to earn money from them, traveling widely for tournaments across India.
Turning Points and Leather-Ball Transition
A significant turning point occurred when Lalit Yadav, a former Delhi player, discovered Prince. He suggested Prince join a cricket academy in Najafgarh. Despite having only bowled with a tennis ball, he quickly adapted, recognizing that he had exceptional yorker skills from his earlier experience.
- In just a year at the academy, he made it to Delhi’s Under-19 team.
- He participated in the Cooch Behar Trophy and the Vinoo Mankad Trophy.
- In the Vinoo Mankad Trophy, he took 10 wickets in eight innings, highlighting his potential.
However, his career faced setbacks when he was banned for two years due to age fraud, forcing him to return to tennis-ball cricket. He maintained his passion, frequently playing in local tournaments.
Recent Performances and Future Aspirations
After serving his suspension, Prince returned to the Delhi cricket scene, eventually earning a spot in LSG as a net bowler. His dedication paid off as he excelled in the Delhi Premier League, taking 13 wickets in ten games with an economy of 8.18. This performance led to his recruitment by LSG during the 2025 mega auction for INR 30 lakh.
Reflecting on his IPL experiences, Prince highlighted the lessons learned and the improvement in his skills, particularly from former players who mentored him. His determination to succeed is evident as he strives for recognition in the competitive world of cricket.
Family Pride and Recognition
Today, Prince relishes the newfound respect and recognition in cricket. He enjoys the joy that his success has brought to his family, especially to his father, who is now proud to be known as “Prince’s father.” This familial support has fueled his drive to achieve even greater heights in his cricket career.
