The Indian Premier League (IPL) has once again unearthed a fresh young talent capable of thriving under pressure on the biggest stage. On a tense evening in Dharamsala, where Delhi Capitals (DC) faced a must-win situation against Punjab Kings (PBKS), it was not one of the established stars but a relatively unknown youngster who emerged as the game-changer. Making only his second IPL appearance, Madhav Tiwari announced himself in style with a composed all-round display that helped Delhi Capitals secure a dramatic three-wicket win.
Who is Madhav Tiwari?
Born on September 28, 2003, in Mauganj village of Madhya Pradesh, Madhav is regarded as one of the state’s most promising pace-bowling all-rounders. Although he is yet to represent Madhya Pradesh in First-Class or List-A cricket, the youngster steadily built a reputation through age-group cricket and franchise-level T20 tournaments.
Delhi Capitals identified his potential early and secured him for INR 40 lakh during the IPL 2025 mega auction before retaining him for the 2026 season. He made his IPL debut against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium in 2025, where he just scored 3 runs and he did not get the chance to bowl in that game.
Madhav Tiwari’s rise through Madhya Pradesh cricket
Before breaking into the IPL spotlight, Madhav consistently impressed in the Madhya Pradesh cricket circuit. He represented the state at both U-19 and U-23 levels and also featured in the 2024-25 CK Nayudu Trophy.
One of his standout performances came against Mumbai, where he scored a fighting 83 runs after Madhya Pradesh had slipped to 183/6 while following on. His innings showcased not just power-hitting ability but also composure under pressure, traits that would later become evident in the IPL as well.
Success in Madhya Pradesh T20 League
Madhav further enhanced his reputation while representing Bhopal Leopards in the Madhya Pradesh T20 League alongside Sunrisers Hyderabad batter Aniket Verma. The side was captained by Gujarat Titans pacer Arshad Khan, and Madhav played a vital role in their journey to the final.
Known for his aggressive lower-order batting and raw pace, the youngster scored 108 runs in five innings at a strike rate of 180 during the tournament. His most memorable knock came in the semi-final against Rewa Jaguars, where he smashed a blistering 65 off just 31 deliveries to power Bhopal Leopards into the final.
Madhav Tiwari’s breakthrough night against Punjab Kings
Delhi Capitals brought Madhav into the playing XI as part of five changes for their crucial clash against Punjab Kings, and the youngster repaid the faith instantly. His first major breakthrough came when he dismissed Priyansh Arya, who was threatening to take the game away with a destructive innings. He later added another wicket of Cooper Connolly to finish with an impressive spell built on discipline and clever use of the conditions in Dharamsala.
While his bowling made headlines initially, it was Madhav’s batting composure during the chase that truly highlighted his temperament. Delhi found themselves under pressure in the latter stages before the youngster walked in and produced a fearless unbeaten 18 off just 8 deliveries. Speaking after the match, Madhav credited the Delhi Capitals environment for helping him settle quickly into IPL cricket.
“This is my second year in the IPL. I feel I have become quite used to the environment,” Madhav said after receiving the Player of the Match award.
Also READ: Fans erupt as Axar Patel and David Miller sizzle in DC’s thrilling win over PBKS in IPL 2026
‘100% batter and 100% bowler’ mentality
Interestingly, Madhav revealed that batting was always his first love while growing up in Indore. However, under the guidance of former India cricketer and coach Amay Khurasiya, he developed into a genuine all-rounder.
“I would like to say I’m 100% bowler and 100% batsman,” Madhav said confidently after the match.
The youngster also credited Delhi Capitals batting coach Ian Bell for encouraging him to trust his natural power-hitting ability instead of trying extravagant shots under pressure. Madhav further explained that he has spent considerable time working on his bowling with Munaf Patel while simultaneously sharpening his range-hitting with the batting coaches during training sessions.
Grounded despite early success
Despite the sudden spotlight, Madhav remains grounded about his long-term ambitions. The youngster openly admitted that representing India remains his ultimate dream, but he understands the amount of work still required to reach that level. Behind his calm demeanour is a strong support system. Madhav revealed that his father runs a transportation business and that his family has always backed his cricketing journey wholeheartedly.
For Delhi Capitals, the win over Punjab Kings kept their season alive. For Madhav, however, the night in Dharamsala may well be remembered as the moment Indian cricket discovered its newest all-round sensation.
Also READ: IPL 2026: Mohammad Kaif slams Shreyas Iyer’s tactics of not using Yuzvendra Chahal following PBKS’ loss to DC