Virat Kohli marked a memorable post-match moment with Prince Yadav after the young Lucknow Super Giants speedster struck him on Thursday night, dismissing the Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain for a silver duck in IPL 2026. The encounter took place at the Ekana Stadium, where rain reduced the contest to a 19-over affair, but the key duel still swung sharply in LSG’s favour during RCB’s pursuit.
Prince delivered a searing 140.4 kph nip-backer that left Kohli with little time to respond. The ball behaved like it had a mind of its own—turning back sharply after pitching, swinging by more than 1.4 degrees, and then sneaking through the narrow channel between bat and pad. The result was immediate and dramatic: the off stump was shattered, and Kohli was visibly stunned as the LSG camp erupted in celebration.
The dismissal carried added weight for Kohli’s personal record. It was his first duck in the IPL since 2023, and also his first time being dismissed for zero in a run chase in nine years. Kohli’s last IPL duck had come in 2017 against Kolkata Knight Riders, in the notorious match at Eden Gardens where RCB were bowled out for a mere 49.
Prince’s impact did not end with the wicket. He played a match-defining role for Lucknow Super Giants, finishing with figures of 3/33. That spell helped LSG maintain control and ultimately secure a nine-run victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru via the DLS method, keeping their playoff hopes very much alive despite the reduced overs.
Even after the on-field drama, the atmosphere shifted quickly off it. Kohli was later seen exchanging a friendly, upbeat conversation with Prince and LSG bowling coach Bharat Arun. The former RCB captain looked relaxed throughout the interaction, laughing as they talked, and even placed a hand on Prince’s shoulder—an understated gesture that suggested genuine appreciation for the quality of the ball.
What made the moment even more intriguing was Prince’s own explanation after the match. The 24-year-old revealed that the wicket came from advice Kohli had given him following LSG’s previous fixture. According to Prince, he had walked into the next game with a clear plan, knowing exactly what to do if the ball was moving off a length.
“I misfielded the first ball, but I knew I had to put it behind me and ensure I don’t lose focus,” Prince said after the match. “After the last match I was talking to Virat bhaiya and he only told me, as long as it’s moving around off a length, stick to that length.”
The exchange between Kohli and Prince, paired with the searing delivery that brought up that long-awaited duck, turned the night into more than just another wicket—it became a story of preparation, execution, and respect between rivals in the IPL’s high-pressure spotlight.
