INDORE — The Holkar Stadium witnessed a masterclass in late-order aggression during the third T20I between India and the West Indies, but the highlight of the evening wasn’t just the high-scoring total—it was the unlikely heroics of fast bowler Prince Yadav. In a performance that solidified India’s 14-run victory and granted them a crucial 2-1 series lead, Yadav proved that his utility extends far beyond his primary role with the ball.
While his bowling figures—an incredibly disciplined two-over spell conceding only 20 runs during the high-pressure death phase—were statistically impressive, it was his explosive cameo with the willow that captured the imagination of the fans. Entering the fray in the final over, Yadav dismantled West Indies pacer Shamar Joseph, smashing three boundaries to propel India to a formidable 223/5. However, the secret behind his clean hitting was as charming as it was unorthodox: a piece of willow borrowed from his teammate, Abhishek Sharma.
Abhishek Sharma’s Magic Wand
The camaraderie between the two players was on full display in a post-match interview with bcci.tv, where Yadav candidly admitted that he had approached the crease armed with Abhishek’s equipment and a very specific set of instructions.
“Obviously, brother, it is great to contribute to the team, whether it’s with the ball, bat, or in the fielding,” Yadav said, acknowledging his mentor-teammate. “Abhi bhaiya gave me his bat earlier and said, ‘don’t embarrass the bat.’ So, I kept its honor.”
Abhishek, clearly delighted by his protégé’s success, revealed that this wasn’t the first time the bat had tasted success in Yadav’s hands. The duo shared a laugh reminiscing about a previous tour to Ireland, where Yadav had utilized the same piece of equipment to clear the ropes for a six. When Yadav jokingly requested to borrow the bat for future encounters, Abhishek didn’t hesitate, offering a swift “granted” to his teammate.
The ‘Single Phatti’ Pedigree
While many were surprised by the poise Yadav showed at the death, Abhishek insisted that this batting prowess has been a well-kept secret within Delhi’s local cricketing circles. According to the opener, Yadav’s ability to find the boundary is deeply rooted in the grueling, high-stakes world of street-level cricket.
“I’ve seen his batting; if anyone hasn’t seen it, he’s famous in Delhi for ‘single phatti’,” Abhishek explained. In the local parlance of Delhi cricket, ‘single phatti’ refers to high-intensity one-on-one matches where a player must shoulder the responsibility of both bowling and batting. “In that, you have to both bat and bowl. So he has that talent to hit sixes and fours. We saw a bit of it today, and we’ll see more in future.”
The transition from the rugged, competitive nature of local Delhi cricket to the international stage appears to have been seamless for the young quick. Abhishek added, “As for the bat, well… you need power too,” noting that the equipment is only as good as the player wielding it.
A Crucial Contribution in a High-Stakes Series
India’s captain, Shreyas Iyer, was quick to credit the late-order surge for the team’s ultimate success. Navigating a challenging middle-order phase, India relied on Iyer’s leadership to stabilize the ship, but it was the momentum shift in the final six balls that shifted the game out of the Caribbean side’s reach.
“We steadied the ship in the middle order as well,” Iyer remarked during the post-match presentation. “That took us to a commendable total of 223. Even Prince coming and playing that cameo at the end, those were useful runs, I felt.”
The tactical discipline shown by Yadav while defending the total was just as vital. With the West Indies needing upwards of 15 runs per over during his final spells, the pressure on a young fast bowler was immense. By limiting the damage and keeping his composure, Yadav proved that his mental toughness matches his technical skill.
Looking Toward the Series Finale
As the caravan moves to the final two encounters of the five-match series, the Indian team finds themselves in the driver’s seat. With a 2-1 lead, the confidence within the dressing room is palpable. The emergence of a genuine “bowling all-rounder” in Prince Yadav provides the team management with tactical flexibility, allowing them to stretch their batting depth without compromising on bowling potency.
Whether or not Yadav will be tasked with the new ball or saved for the death in the upcoming matches remains to be seen. However, one thing is certain: fans can expect to see him walking out to bat with a bit more confidence—and potentially, his “lucky” borrowed bat—whenever India finds themselves in need of a quick late-game injection of runs.
For now, Prince Yadav has proven that he is not just a participant in this Indian side, but a contributor capable of changing the trajectory of a match in the blink of an eye. With the backing of senior players like Abhishek Sharma and the leadership of Shreyas Iyer, the young fast bowler is fast becoming one of the most exciting prospects in the current Indian T20 setup.
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