The Indian Premier League (IPL) once again revealed a fresh young talent who can thrive under pressure on the biggest stage. A tense evening in Dharamsala, where Delhi Capitals (DC) faced with an absolute win situation Punjab Kings (PBKS)it wasn’t one of the established stars, but a relatively unknown young man who emerged as a game-changer. Made only his second IPL appearance Madhav Tiwari He announced himself in style with an all-round display that helped Delhi Capitals to a dramatic three-wicket victory.
Who is Madhav Tiwari?
Born on September 28, 2003 in Mauganj, Madhya Pradesh, Madhav is considered one of the most promising pace bowling all-rounders in the state. Although he is yet to represent Madhya Pradesh in First-Class or List-A cricket, he has steadily gained prominence through youth-group cricket and franchise-level T20 tournaments.
Delhi Capitals spotted 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 in 2025 against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium where he scored just 3 runs and did not get a chance to bowl in that game.
Madhav Tiwari’s rise with Madhya Pradesh cricket
Before the IPL limelight, Madhav consistently impressed in the Madhya Pradesh cricket circuit. He has represented the state at both the U-19 and U-23 levels and also featured in the 2024-25 CK Nayudu Trophy.
One of his notable performances came against Mumbai, where he scored 83 runs after Madhya Pradesh slumped to 183/6 as they resumed. His innings showcased not only his power-hitting ability but also his 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 when he represented Bhopal Leopards in the Madhya Pradesh T20 League along with the Sunrisers Hyderabad batter. Aniket Verma. The side was captained by the Gujarat Titans pacer Arshad Khanand Madhav played a vital role on the way to the final.
Known for his aggressive low-order batting and raw pace, the youngster scored 108 runs at a strike rate of 180 in five innings during the tournament. His most memorable knock came in the semi-final against Rewa Jaguars, where he smashed 65 off just 31 deliveries to send 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 immediately restored his confidence. His first big success came after he was fired Priyansh Aryawas threatening to put the game away with a devastating shot. He later added another goal Cooper Connolly finishing with an impressive spell built on discipline and clever use of the Dharamsala conditions.
While his bowling initially grabbed the headlines, Madhav’s composure while batting during the chase really highlighted his character. Delhi found themselves under pressure in the latter stages before the youngster stepped in and managed a fearless unbeaten 18 off just 8 deliveries. Speaking after the match, Madhav credited the Delhi Capitals environment for helping him settle into IPL cricket quickly.
“This is my second year in the IPL. I feel I am very used to the environment.” Madhav said after receiving the man of the match award.
Also READ: Fans go wild as Axar Patel and David Miller go wild in DC’s thrilling win over PBKS in IPL 2026.
The ‘100% batter and 100% bowler’ mindset
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 Khurasia, he developed into a true all-rounder.
“I would like to say that I am 100% bowler and 100% batsman” Madhav confidently said after the match.
The youngster also credited Delhi Capitals coach Ian Bell for encouraging him to rely on his natural power hitting ability instead of trying extravagant shots under pressure. Madhav further explained that he has spent considerable time working with Munaf Patel on his bowling while also sharpening his batting distance with the batting coaches during practice.
Despite early success, it was grounded
Despite the sudden limelight, Madhav remains grounded about his long-term ambitions. The youngster openly admitted that representing India remains his ultimate dream, but he still understands the extent of the work to reach that level. Behind his calm demeanor is a strong support system. Madhav revealed that his father is in the transport business and his family has always supported his cricketing journey wholeheartedly.
For Delhi Capitals, the win over Punjab Kings kept their season alive. And for Madhav, the night in Dharamsala will be remembered as the moment he discovered Indian cricket’s newest all-round sensation.
