The Young Delhi and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) pacer Prince Yadav recalled a slight confusion that occurred when he was picked by the franchise for INR 30 Lakh at the IPL 2025 Auction.
Speaking on former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra’s podcast, Prince revealed that his friend informed him about being picked by the Super Giants while he was busy playing for Delhi in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT).
He went on to disclose that a picture of another player from Uttar Pradesh with the same name was shown on the broadcast, creating confusion. However, the franchise got in touch with Prince to clear the confusion around the bid.
“The SMAT was going on, and I was in Mumbai. The auction was going on, but I was not watching it. My friends and others were watching. Some other team was playing SMAT, and I was watching that match instead. My friend came and told me that LSG picked me. I was happy. But he told me they had put someone else’s photo. There is a Prince Yadav from UP. It was his photo. So I had a doubt. I checked the serial number list, and it was mine. But I was not sure. But then I got a message and a call, and then it was clear,” Prince said.
Prince further revealed that he had been associated with LSG as a net bowler a year before being signed as a player. He also spoke about his experience of working with Zaheer Khan, who was serving as the team mentor at the time. Across two seasons with LSG, Prince has claimed 19 wickets in 20 matches at an economy rate of 9.14, with best figures of 3/32.
“Before being picked, I had been in that environment. I was a net bowler with LSG in the previous season. Zaheer Sir met me, and I thought I could learn a lot from there. It was like I kept finding the right people at the right time. He helped me a lot with my mindset and technique. He told me what to work on, but he also told me we would not work on those things during the season. So he told me we would keep working on the sidelines. I went to him after the IPL and spent 3-4 days with him in Mumbai. He worked with me on the new ball,” he added.
