Prince Yadav never imagined his cricket story would lead him to the brightest spotlight in the sport. Once, the game was just a neighbourhood pastime—tennis-ball cricket played for fun on the streets. Now the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) pacer has opened up about an ambition that has resonated widely with Indian fans: to line up on the biggest international stage alongside the two names he grew up worshipping.
Prince Yadav’s dream: sharing a World Cup moment with India’s giants
In a video shared by the franchise, the young fast bowler voiced a heartfelt goal that went beyond personal success. “I want to play the 2027 World Cup with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli and win it for them,” Prince said.
For him, it was not only a statement of aspiration, but also a tribute to the idols who shaped his early cricketing imagination. The emotion behind the words has made his rise feel even more meaningful—because the dream is connected to the boys he admired when he was just a youngster chasing the ball in the lanes.
From tennis-ball streets near Delhi to an LSG pace prospect
Prince’s path to professional cricket did not begin with academies or a direct sprint to the IPL. He was raised in Dariyapur Khurd, on the outskirts of Delhi, where his father often scolded him for spending hours playing tennis-ball cricket in the streets.
Farming was the family routine, and cricket was never presented as a career plan—it remained a passion that simply refused to fade. Even so, the tennis-ball culture ended up forging key elements of his bowling style: sharp yorkers, raw pace, and an unrelenting work ethic.
A grounded approach off the pitch
Now aged 24, Prince is beginning to make a strong impression as one of the more exciting uncapped fast bowlers in the IPL. Coaches have praised his ability with the new ball, pointing to his swing, his variations, and his appetite to keep improving.
Despite the growing attention, he has stayed rooted. When he finds time away from cricket, he often returns to his village and helps with farming—an attitude that adds to the sincerity of his large international dream.
Setback, comeback and mentors who shaped his growth
Prince’s journey has not been smooth. Early in his career, a two-year suspension for age-fudging threatened to derail his progress before it could properly take off. Instead of disappearing from the scene, he trained quietly, refined his skills, and returned stronger.
His development since then has been influenced by guidance from senior figures in the Indian setup, including Mohammed Shami, Zaheer Khan, and Ishant Sharma. Their mentorship has helped him grow not only as a fast bowler, but also in understanding life beyond the field.
What his World Cup goal really means
At the heart of Prince’s ambition is a simple but powerful idea: sharing a dressing room with the heroes he once watched from afar. He wants to give something back—both to the players who inspired him and to the next generation that looks up to Indian cricket legends.
And in a story that began with a tennis ball in a small Delhi village, Prince’s hope for the 2027 World Cup feels less like a far-off fantasy and more like a genuinely lived dream.
