How Virat Kohli grew close to Prince Yadav during Vijay Hazare Trophy: ‘Ishant Sharma knew him’

Virat Kohli shed light on how his bond with Prince Yadav developed during the Vijay Hazare Trophy season.

Updated on: May 15, 2026, 16:01:03 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Prince Yadav produced one of the most memorable moments of IPL 2026 when he bowled a stunning delivery to dismiss Virat Kohli. Even a week later, the wicket continues to be widely discussed despite the rapid pace and constant drama of the tournament. The ball itself was exceptional, beating Kohli completely and crashing through his defence, but it was the story behind it that made the moment even more remarkable. After the match, Prince revealed that Kohli had actually advised him during a conversation after their previous meeting earlier in the season to keep bowling in that particular area. The revelation immediately caught the attention of fans and experts, with many saying Kohli had unknowingly helped script his own dismissal. The incident quickly became one of the most talked-about moments of the season, not only because of the quality of the delivery but also because a young fast bowler showed the confidence to use the advice against one of cricket’s biggest names.

Virat Kohli stands by his mentor role for Prince Yadav. (Screengrab/LSG)

Kohli himself has now addressed the chatter around his advice to Prince, which eventually led to his own dismissal. The batting maestro shed light on how his bond with Prince developed during the season, revealing that the young pacer initially appeared intense on the field but turned out to be warm, funny and easy to connect with off it. Kohli also recalled first meeting the Delhi fast bowler during the Vijay Hazare Trophy, before their friendship grew stronger through conversations alongside Ishant Sharma.

"So people don't know, I went and played Vijay Hazare, I didn't know Prince at all. Because on the field he feels like he's very intense, and he's such a sweet guy, and he's so funny, because Ishant was there as well, and Ishant knows him, so I got very close to him, and he opened up really nicely to me," Kohli said on the podcast on RCB's YouTube channel.

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The former India skipper also explained why he never hesitates to share his knowledge with younger cricketers, saying he had been guiding Prince Yadav since their meetings in domestic cricket and believes experienced players have a responsibility to help the next generation improve and eventually strengthen Indian cricket.

"So I was telling him even on those times, you know, even through those Vijay Hazare games, standing at mid-off, covers, whatever, what to do, where to bowl. You have to share experience, you're not going to be here forever and if people have the opportunity to learn and get better in their careers, eventually, who gets helped? If all these guys play well, eventually they play for India, the standard of cricket remains high," he added.

Kohli further stressed that helping young players grow is essential to maintaining the standard of Indian cricket, adding that developing the next generation will ultimately benefit the national team in the years ahead.

"You don't want to see a situation tomorrow where the standards are dropping. If you can help someone to get to their potential best, then their best version will eventually help Indian cricket. That's the progress, I see," he said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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