Lucknow Super Giants’ pacer Prince Yadav, currently holding the Purple Cap in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, credited his success against the Rajasthan Royals to hitting the right lengths on the red-soil pitch. Alongside Mohammed Shami and Mohsin Khan, Yadav claimed two wickets each, restricting RR to 159/6. With 13 wickets in seven games at an average of 16.76 and an economy rate of 8.38, Yadav expressed his focus on maintaining line and length, utilizing his strengths and variations.
“It feels really good, but it will feel even better if we go on to win the match from here. Nothing different as such. I’m just doing what I know best. I’m sticking to my line and length, backing my strengths, and working with the two or three variations that I’ve added,” Yadav mentioned during a mid-innings chat with the broadcasters. Emphasizing the importance of hitting the right length on red soil to prevent easy boundaries, Yadav highlighted the significance of precision in bowling.
In the game, Prince Yadav played a pivotal role in preventing a middle-order recovery for RR by dismissing skipper Riyan Parag and Donovan Ferreira, leaving RR struggling at 110/6. A key factor in Yadav’s impressive performance in IPL 2026 has been the mentorship provided by veteran seamer Shami. Yadav acknowledged Shami’s tactical guidance during high-pressure situations, which has boosted his self-belief and performance on the field.
“Whenever I feel a bit under pressure or troubled, Shami bhai comes straight to me, explains things, and always gives me confidence. It’s just practice, and also a lot of credit goes to our coach. He’s a very good coach. We have practiced a lot, and Bharat Arun Sir has also helped us a lot,” Yadav added, appreciating the support and guidance from the team’s coaching staff.
