IND vs AFG, 2nd ODI: Ban to India Debut - Prince Yadav Turns a Dark Career Setback into a Dream Come True

Delhi pacer Prince Yadav has fulfilled his dream of playing for India, making his debut after overcoming a two-year ban for age fudging that nearly ended his career. His comeback was fueled by mentorship from Pradeep Sangwan and a breakthrough IPL season with Lucknow Super Giants, marking a powerful story of redemption.

The Delhi pacer Prince Yadav has fulfilled his dream of donning the Indian jersey as he was handed his maiden international cap ahead of Team India’s second ODI of the three-match series against Afghanistan at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Wednesday, June 17.

The Men in Blue made three changes to their playing XI from the side that secured a seven-wicket victory in the rain-truncated series opener in Dharamshala. The all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy was ruled out of the contest due to a thigh injury, and Yashasvi Jaiswal and Kuldeep Yadav were brought in, alongside debutant Prince Yadav.

Ahead of the second ODI, India’s ODI vice-captain Shreyas Iyer presented the ODI cap number 263 to Prince Yadav during a touching ceremony in the team huddle, marking a significant milestone in the youngster’s career. Prince, who played for Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2026, was added to the India squad to test bowling depth, alongside Gurnoor Brar.

The Ban That Nearly Ended It All

Prince Yadav might’ve eventually realised his dream of representing Team India at the international level, but the 23-year-old’s journey was nearly derailed before it even truly began. Prince was making a rapid rise through the ranks of Delhi’s age-group cricket before his progress came to an unexpected halt due to age fudging in 2019, a year before country began to grapple with COVID-19.

The suspicion regarding his age stemmed from a routine BCCI data cross-check with the CBSE records, which exposed the discrepancy between his actual date of birth and the one submitted for tournament eligibility. The revelation proved costly for the young bowler, who was yet to play U19 cricket, as the board imposed a two-year ban from playing any form of cricket.

Reportedly, Prince falsely claimed to be 17 years old for U19 cricket eligibility when he was actually older, a decision that brought his budding career to an abrupt, screeching halt. With the COVID-19 pandemic already causing widespread disruption to the domestic circuit, the timing of the two-year suspension could not have been worse.

The two-year ban prevented Prince Yadav from representing India at the U19 level, including the 2022 ICC Under-19 World Cup, which the Boys in Blue won by defeating England in the final.

While his peers were making a stride on the global stage and using the marquee event as a springboard to IPL contracts, Prince was left to watch from the sidelines, grappling with the realization that his own poor judgment had cost him his most promising developmental years.

Pawan Sangwan Took Prince Yadav Under His Wings

Since he was barred from formal training facilities and competitive pathways during a two-year ban, Prince Yadav utilised the time away from the limelight to rebuild his game from the ground up and retreated to local grounds, where former Delhi pacer Pradeep Sangwan became his guiding light.

Under the tutelage of Sangwan, Yadav worked tirelessly to build his technique and fitness, often training in rural settings to avoid public scrutiny. Recalling the two-year ban, the Delhi pacer described it as a dark phase in his life but credited his family’s unwavering support and Pradeep Sangwan’s mentorship for helping him stay focused.

“That was a very dark phase. My family supported me because they understood I could do something in my life by playing cricket. Former Delhi fast bowler Pradeep Sangwan came to me and said he will train me during that period,” Prince told in an Interview with TOI.

“For two years, I quietly trained with him and played tennis-ball cricket. That's why I could hit the ground running immediately after the ban ended,” he added.

Prince Yadav returned to competitive cricket in 2022 with a newfound sense of purpose, having used his period of exile to refine his craft away from the public gaze. After returning, Yadav had to wait two years before earning his breakthrough at the senior level in 2024. That year, Yadav made his debut in first-class cricket, List A, and T20 for Delhi.

The Breakthrough IPL Season Earns Him an India Spot

Prince Yadav’s performances over the last couple of years in domestic cricket have caught the eyes of the Lucknow Super Giants, providing the perfect platform for him to shine on the grandest stage. Yadav was acquired for his base price of INR 30 lakh by the LSG at the IPL 2025 mega auction, before he was retained for the 2026 season.

Though Lucknow failed to qualify for the playoffs, Prince Yadav’s standout individual performances turned heads across the league. In 14 matches, the Delhi pacer picked 16 wickets at an average of 28.68 and an economy rate of 8.82 in 14 matches. This was a much-improved performance from the previous season, where he picked three wickets in six matches for the LSG.

Yadav’s breakthrough season earned him a spot in the India ODI squad for the series against Afghanistan, before he was included in the T20I squad for the series against Ireland and England as well as the Asian Games 2026 in Japan, marking his transformation into a multi-format contender for the Men in Blue.

From being for two years due to age fraud to becoming a pivotal part of the national bowling arsenal, Prince Yadav’s trajectory stands as a powerful testament to redemption in professional sports.