Young all-rounder Madhav Tiwari emerged as the breakout star for Delhi Capitals in their thrilling three-wicket victory over Punjab Kings on May 11, 2026, at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala. Playing only his second career IPL match and his first of the 2026 season, the 22-year-old from Madhya Pradesh delivered a Player of the Match performance that kept Delhi’s playoff hopes alive.
A) Match-Winning All-Round Heroics With the Ball: On a seamer-friendly Dharamsala pitch, Tiwari claimed two crucial wickets, finishing with figures of 2/40 in 4 overs. He broke a dangerous opening stand by dismissing Priyansh Arya (56) and later removed Cooper Connolly to stall the Punjab momentum.
B) With the Bat: Chasing a target of 211, Tiwari arrived at the crease with 41 runs still needed off 22 balls. He played a composed yet aggressive unbeaten cameo of 18 runs off just 8 balls, including a boundary off his very first delivery and a match-sealing four and six against Aquib Nabi in the final over.
Key Reflections from Madhav Tiwari
Following his performance, Tiwari shared several insights into his mindset and preparation: The “100% All-Rounder”
A) Claim: When asked at the post-match presentation if he considers himself a specialist in either department, he made a bold statement that has since trended online: “I would like to say I am a 100 percent bowler and 100 percent batsman.”
B) Patience in the Dugout: Having sat out the first 11 matches of the season, Tiwari credited his readiness to hard work with bowling coach Munaf Patel and batting coach Ian Bell. He noted that his mindset was to focus on “range hitting” and “controlling nerves” during practice while waiting for his opportunity.
C) Tactical Execution: Tiwari explained that he relied on hitting a “good length” and mixing in wide and short deliveries. He also highlighted the support of captain Axar Patel, who gave him the confidence to finish his four-over quota even after conceding runs early in his spell.
Connection with Ashutosh Sharma: Tiwari mentioned his comfort batting alongside Ashutosh Sharma during the chase, noting that the two have played together in Madhya Pradesh and “know each other’s game well.”
Madhav Tiwari Background
Originally signed by Delhi Capitals for ₹40 lakh in the 2025 mega auction, Tiwari is a rare talent who has yet to make his senior First-Class or List-A debut. He rose to prominence through the Madhya Pradesh T20 League (playing for Bhopal Leopards) and age-group cricket under the guidance of former India cricketer Amay Khurasiya.
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