He Indian Premier League (IPL) has once again unearthed a fresh, young talent capable of thriving under pressure on the biggest stage. On a tense afternoon in Dharamsala, where Delhi Capitals (DC) faced a situation that had to be won against Kings of Punjab (PBKS)It was not one of the established stars but a relatively unknown young man who emerged as the game changer. Making only his second appearance in IPL, Madhav Tiwari was announced in style with a composed and 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 considered one of the most promising all-round bowlers in the state. Although he is yet to represent Madhya Pradesh in first-class or list A cricket, the youngster has steadily built a reputation through age-group cricket and T20 tournaments at the franchise level.
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 only scored 3 runs and did not get a chance to bowl in that game.
Madhav Tiwari’s rise through Madhya Pradesh cricket
Before coming into the limelight of the IPL, Madhav consistently impressed in the Madhya Pradesh cricket circuit. He represented the state at Under-19 and Under-23 levels and also participated in the 2024-25 CK Nayudu Trophy.
One of his standout performances was against Mumbai where he scored 83 runs after Madhya Pradesh fell to 183/6 while following. His innings showed not only the ability to bat for power 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 by representing Bhopal Leopards in the Madhya Pradesh T20 League alongside Sunrisers Hyderabad batsman. Aniket Verma. The team was captained by the Gujarat Titans pacer. Arshad Khanand 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 scored 65 off just 31 deliveries to take Bhopal Leopards to the final.
Madhav Tiwari’s big 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 instantly restored faith. His first breakthrough came when he fired Priyansh Aryawho threatened to take the game away with a destructive tackle. He later added another wicket Cooper Connolly to finish with an impressive spell based on discipline and intelligent use of the conditions in Dharamsala.
While his bowling made headlines initially, it was Madhav’s batting composure during the chase that really highlighted his temperament. Delhi found themselves under pressure in the closing stages before the youngster came in and produced a fearless, unbeaten 18 off just 8 deliveries. Speaking after the match, Madhav credited the Delhi Capitals environment for helping him adapt quickly to IPL cricket.
“This is my second year in the IPL. I feel like I have gotten quite used to the environment.” Madhav said after receiving the Man of the Match award.
Also READ: Fans erupt as Axar Patel and David Miller shine in DC’s thrilling win over PBKS in IPL 2026
‘100% hitter and 100% pitcher’ mentality
Interestingly, Madhav revealed that batting was always his first love while growing up in Indore. However, under the guidance of former Indian cricketer and coach Amay Khurasiya, he became a true all-rounder.
“I would like to say that I am 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 rely on his natural hitting ability rather than attempting extravagant shots under pressure. Madhav further explained that he has spent considerable time working on his bowling with Munaf Patel and at the same time fine-tuning his range with batting coaches during training sessions.
Based despite initial success
Despite the sudden attention, Madhav remains steadfast in his long-term ambitions. The youngster openly admitted that representing India remains his ultimate dream, but understands the amount of work that still needs to be done to reach that level. Behind his calm demeanor is a strong support system. Madhav revealed that his father runs a transport business and his family has always wholeheartedly supported his cricket journey.
For the Delhi Capitals, the win over the Punjab Kings kept their season alive. For Madhav, however, the night in Dharamshala may well be remembered as the moment when Indian cricket discovered its new feel in all aspects.
Also READ: IPL 2026: Mohammad Kaif slams Shreyas Iyer’s tactics of not using Yuzvendra Chahal after PBKS’ loss to DC
