Prince Yadav Reveals Virat Kohli’s Advice Led to His IPL 2026 Dismissal

The Ironic Dismissal at Ekana

Cricket often produces stories that feel scripted by a novelist, and the recent IPL 2026 fixture between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) was exactly that. Prince Yadav, the rising fast bowler for the Super Giants, became the talk of the town after dismantling the RCB top order, including the prized wicket of Virat Kohli. The twist? The very advice Kohli gave Yadav during a conversation in an earlier fixture proved to be his own undoing.

A Momentous Spell

At the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, the stakes were high despite LSG’s difficult season. Batting first, LSG posted a formidable 209/3 in 19 overs, bolstered by Mitchell Marsh’s century and a blistering cameo from Rishabh Pant. With DLS calculations setting a target of 213 for RCB, the pressure was firmly on the visitors. That pressure translated into early wickets, with Mohammad Shami striking in the first over before Prince Yadav made his move.

Yadav’s delivery to Kohli was a masterclass in seam movement. The ball jagged in sharply, beating the defensive technique of one of the world’s greatest batters. It was Kohli’s first IPL duck in 46 matches, a rarity that left the crowd in disbelief.

The Guru-Shishya Exchange

Following the match, Prince Yadav opened up about the tactical exchange that occurred during their previous meeting in Bengaluru on April 15. The young pacer sought advice from the senior statesman, and Kohli, ever the student of the game, provided a candid assessment of Yadav’s bowling.

“That was exactly the plan. In fact, after the last match, I was speaking with Virat Bhaiya and he himself told me this… we talked a lot after that match and he was telling me that as long as the ball is moving off the length, you shouldn’t abandon your length. That is exactly what I did, and I got the result in the form of a wicket,” Yadav explained during the post-match broadcast.

A Tale of Two Seasons

The 2026 season represents a massive leap forward for Prince Yadav. While his debut year in the IPL saw him struggle to find consistency—managing only 3 wickets at an average of 75—this campaign has been transformative. With 16 wickets in 10 matches, an average of 18.68, and an economy rate of 8, he has cemented himself as a vital cog in the LSG bowling unit, currently sitting third in the Purple Cap standings.

Conversely, despite the rare duck, Virat Kohli continues to be the backbone of the RCB batting lineup. With 379 runs in 10 matches, an average of 47, and a strike rate of 164, he remains one of the most prolific performers in the tournament. His presence in the top 10 of the Orange Cap race underscores that even the best in the business can fall to a well-executed plan—even one they helped craft themselves.

Looking Ahead

For the Lucknow Super Giants, the win against RCB served as a morale booster after a tough six-match losing streak that effectively ended their playoff aspirations. While the team remains at the bottom of the table, individual performances like those of Prince Yadav provide hope for the future. Reflecting on the team’s struggles, Yadav remained humble: “If I speak for myself, the season is good. But from the team’s perspective, it’s a bit tough because we lost six matches in a row. But the efforts will continue; we will try to put in a good effort in the remaining matches as well.”