Madhav Tiwari’s IPL journey began with little more than opportunity and readiness. The 22-year-old arrived at IPL 2026 without senior-level experience, played only a handful of games, yet still managed to leave a clear impression—signalling that his arrival on the big stage may be only the start of a bigger rise.
From a first look to an IPL breakthrough
Before the 2026 season, Madhav had not been tested at the senior level. In IPL 2026, he appeared in four matches in total, but his impact came in a short span. He hails from Mauganj in Madhya Pradesh’s Rewa district and is now focused on stepping up through the domestic system—first by establishing himself in state cricket, then aiming for the long-term dream of representing India.
In an interview, Madhav spoke about his ambitions in straightforward terms: “I have a lot of dreams. My biggest dream is to play for India and represent the country for 15 years.”
Delhi Capitals: a year of waiting, then a role in the XI
Madhav was part of the Delhi Capitals squad during IPL 2025, but his involvement in matches was limited to just one appearance. Much of that season was spent away from the playing field—waiting in the dugout, carrying drinks, and supporting from the sidelines.
The breakthrough arrived in IPL 2026. He earned a place in the playing XI and went on to feature in three matches. In that brief run, he took four wickets. The list of batters he dismissed included Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Shubham Dubey, Priyansh Arya and Cooper Connolly.
- IPL 2025: part of Delhi Capitals squad; played one match
- IPL 2026: featured in three matches in the playing XI
- IPL 2026 wickets: four, including dismissals of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Shubham Dubey, Priyansh Arya and Cooper Connolly
How he reinvented himself as an all-rounder
Madhav’s rise has stood out because his original pathway was not built as a specialist bowler. He was primarily a batter when his bowling potential was first noticed. With time and coaching, that change took shape into something more complete.
Under the guidance of former India cricketer Amay Khurasiya, Madhav worked on both batting and bowling. The transformation gradually turned him into a genuine all-rounder, with his progress visible when Delhi Capitals needed contributions in a chase.
After dismissing Priyansh Arya and Cooper Connolly, Madhav delivered when the chase demanded steadiness. With pressure mounting, he produced a cameo that helped steer the team home.
Facing the very first ball of his IPL career, he showed composure—rocking onto the back foot and guiding the ball behind square for a boundary. In the very next over, he struck a six, then followed it with a four, allowing Delhi Capitals to finish the chase in style.
After the match, his message—“I am a 100% batter and 100% bowler”—captured the confidence behind his development.
Thriving in “kharab situation” moments
Madhav is known in Madhya Pradesh cricket circles as the “kharab situation” boy—someone who battles stubbornly and performs particularly well when matches tighten. He once again found himself in a scenario he relishes and backed himself to deliver.
He explained: “This was not the first time I found myself in such a situation. I actually enjoy these moments. I love playing under pressure and, thankfully, I have been able to perform well in pressure situations too.”
To illustrate what he means by pressure, Madhav described an Under-23 match for Madhya Pradesh. With victory required to qualify for the semi-finals and the run rate extremely high, he went in and scored 86 runs off 32 balls. The team won and qualified. He then drew a parallel to the IPL, saying that against Punjab Kings—when his first game presented a similar demand—he stayed calm, trusted his ability, and contributed to the team’s win.
He added: “Amay Sir has played a huge role in my career. He made me mentally strong from a very young age. He always told me, ‘If you want to play for India, you need to excel in every department — batting, bowling and fielding.’ He also placed great emphasis on fitness. He would always say that talent might help you play for India, but how long you stay there will depend on your fitness. That’s something you should never take lightly.”
For the next step, his immediate focus is clear. “My immediate goal is to establish myself in the Ranji Trophy and continue performing in domestic cricket for my state. I want to take one step at a time. But the dream of playing for India is always there. That’s the ultimate goal. I want to represent India and, hopefully, do it for a long time,” he said.
Learning in a star-studded dressing room
Madhav’s IPL opportunity also came through the auction route. He was bought for Rs 40 lakh at the IPL 2025 auction and was retained by Delhi Capitals for the 2026 season.
Entering the tournament as an aspiring all-rounder, he aimed to use every chance to absorb ideas and experience from those around him. The Delhi Capitals dressing room included players such as Axar Patel, KL Rahul, Tristan Stubbs, Mitchell Starc, David Miller and several other international names.
- He said the environment was extremely supportive and never felt intimidating
- He described comfort in speaking with seniors for advice, discussion, and questions
- He highlighted strong bonding with Lungi and good rapport with Axar “bhai” and Kuldeep “bhaiya”
He also spoke about the leadership style in the side: “The captain gave us complete freedom to express ourselves and play our natural game. You could share your plans and ideas, and he would give his inputs whenever he felt necessary. But it never felt like he was forcing anything on you. He was always very supportive.”
Madhav further underlined his belief in readiness. “I have always believed that if you back yourself and are mentally ready for any level, then it is only a matter of time before you get there. Whether it is club cricket or any other level, the principle remains the same. I never felt that a lack of exposure would hold me back. I had confidence that I could face international bowlers, play in the IPL and perform at that level.”
In the nets, he experienced direct lessons from high-quality opposition. “I bowled to Axar and KL Rahul and faced Mitchell Starc and David Miller in the nets. That was a huge learning experience for me. Pressure kya hota, inn sabb ne mujhe sikhaya [They taught me what pressure at the highest level really means].”
He added that Miller in particular helped him understand the true meaning of being an all-rounder: “It takes a lot to become a genuine all-rounder, and those interactions taught me a great deal.”
