Madhav Tiwari made a rapid late-season impact for Delhi Capitals in the 2026 IPL, delivering match-turning moments with both ball and bat after being drafted into the XI when several senior names failed to fire. The Madhya Pradesh allrounder, who debuted in the league last year, used his opportunities to leave a lasting impression—and also made it clear that his sights extend far beyond franchise cricket.
Key takeaways
- Madhav Tiwari was introduced into the Delhi Capitals playing XI late in the 2026 season after the regulars underperformed.
- Against Punjab Kings at Dharamsala, he took two wickets and then struck an unbeaten 18 off 8 balls at No. 8 to help DC win.
- In the following match, he again delivered with wickets, dismissing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Shubham Dubey as Delhi secured another victory.
- The 22-year-old allrounder described a long-term goal of representing India for 15 years, starting with continued domestic progress.
- He credits former India batter Amay Khurasiya for shaping his mindset, emphasizing excellence in batting, bowling, fielding, and fitness.
Two-wicket burst and a calm late cameo
Tiwari’s breakthrough in the 2026 IPL came soon after he was called up. His first appearance of the campaign was against Punjab Kings in Dharamsala, where he produced a performance that resonated immediately with the team and fans alike. With the ball, he struck early by removing Priyansh Arya and Cooper Connolly, both of whom are known for causing trouble—especially when set.
Then, when the batting order needed a steadying hand, Tiwari stepped in at No. 8 and delivered a decisive finish. He remained unbeaten on 18 from just 8 deliveries, playing a crucial role as Delhi Capitals turned the contest in their favour and avenged an earlier loss to PBKS.
Back-to-back impact and a mindset built for pressure
His form carried straight into the next game. This time, Tiwari dismantled another promising set of threats by accounting for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Shubham Dubey. Once again, Delhi emerged victorious, underlining that the debutant-like spark wasn’t a one-off.
While the IPL has put him in the spotlight, Tiwari insists the motivation is bigger than any single tournament. He told TimesofIndia.com that his biggest dream is to play for India and represent the country for 15 years. He also explained that similar pressure situations have helped him prepare mentally over time.
Speaking in detail about how he handles high-stakes scenarios, Tiwari said he genuinely enjoys moments that demand composure. He recalled an under-23 match for Madhya Pradesh where a win was required to qualify for the semi-finals. With a very high required run rate and heavy pressure, he went in and scored 86 off 32 balls, helping the team win and advance. He then drew a direct parallel to his first IPL appearance against Punjab Kings, saying the situation felt comparable—so he stayed calm, backed himself, and took satisfaction in contributing to Delhi’s success.
Development under Amay Khurasiya and the Ranji focus
Off the field, Tiwari’s growth is closely tied to the guidance he has received from former India batsman Amay Khurasiya. The allrounder said Amay sir has played a major role in his career, helping him become mentally stronger from an early age. He described how Khurasiya repeatedly stressed the need to excel across all disciplines—batting, bowling, and fielding—if a player wants to earn a long-term place in the national setup.
Fitness, Tiwari added, has been another non-negotiable in that advice. He noted that while talent can help someone enter the picture, staying in contention depends heavily on conditioning, and that message is something he believes should never be treated lightly.
Looking ahead, his immediate priority is to secure a strong foothold in the Ranji Trophy and continue performing in domestic cricket for his state. He said he wants to take things step by step, while keeping the dream of playing for India firmly in view as the ultimate goal. His aim, he reiterated, is to represent India and ideally do so for a long time.
Life at Delhi Capitals: freedom, learning, and relationships
Tiwari also spoke about the experience of being part of Delhi Capitals during the season just gone. He said that from the start, the environment made him feel comfortable, and that it never felt like the players around him were only names he had watched on television. In his view, the setup was extremely supportive—giving him the confidence to approach anyone for advice, discuss match situations, share his thoughts, or ask questions whenever needed.
He credited the senior players for making things easier as he settled in, saying he learned a lot from them and built strong relationships in the process. He singled out close bonds formed within the squad, including a good connection with Lungi Ngidi, and strong rapport with Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav.
On the captaincy, Tiwari highlighted that Axar gave the team freedom to express themselves and play their natural game. He said players could share plans and ideas, and the captain would offer input when he felt it was necessary, without forcing anything. In Tiwari’s words, backing yourself and being mentally prepared at any level is what eventually makes progress inevitable.
He also addressed concerns about exposure at different stages of cricket, stating that he never felt a lack of opportunity would prevent him from reaching the top. He expressed confidence that he could face international-quality bowling, perform in the IPL, and handle that intensity. He recalled that he bowled to Axar and KL Rahul and faced Mitchell Starc and David Miller in nets, describing those sessions as a major learning experience and saying they helped him understand what pressure at the highest level truly means.
According to Tiwari, Miller in particular helped him grasp the real meaning of being an allrounder. He stressed that becoming a genuine all-rounder requires more than occasional contributions, and he believes those conversations and net sessions taught him plenty about the work involved.
