Batting superstar Virat Kohli admitted that it was indeed his advice to Prince Yadav that helped the Lucknow Super Giants seamer get the better of him during an Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 match earlier this season.
Prince had delivered a pearler that nipped back in from a good length, dismissing Kohli for a two-ball duck and setting up LSG’s nine-run win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.
After the match, the Delhi pacer revealed that the wicket stemmed from the advice that Kohli himself had offered following the last meeting between the two sides.
“After the last match, I was talking to him, and he told me that if the ball is doing something from a length, don’t leave it. So, I did that, and got the result,” Prince told the broadcasters.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Virat Kohli is bowled by Lucknow Super Giants’ Prince Yadav. | Photo Credit: AP
Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Virat Kohli is bowled by Lucknow Super Giants’ Prince Yadav. | Photo Credit: AP
Speaking on the RCB Podcast, Kohli said that it was important for a veteran campaigner like him to share experience with youngsters as it would benefit Indian cricket in the future.
“Yeah, he bowled a great ball to me, and I told him to bowl in those areas. It is fine,” Kohli opined.
“I went and played Vijay Hazare [Trophy]. I didn’t know Prince at all. He is such a sweet guy, and he is so funny. I got very close to him, and he opened up very nicely to me. I was telling him, even through those Vijay Hazare Trophy games what to do and where to bowl. You have to share experience. You are not going to be here forever. If people have the opportunity to learn and get better in their careers, eventually they play for India and the standard of cricket remains high,” he added.
The former India captain had also shared his inputs with Mohammed Siraj during the ongoing IPL season, ahead of RCB’s match against Gujarat Titans.
“Before playing Gujarat [Titans] in Bengaluru, I spoke to Siraj on the boundary. I told him my observations—how I saw him run in and how it was different from before. He spoke to me about rhythm. And we are playing them two days later... I should be able to play his best version. I want him to be at his best so I can compete with him. I am ready for everyone’s best version. If someone is struggling, it is an opportunity for me to help. That is how I look at it,” Kohli explained.
Published on May 15, 2026