Not Jasprit Bumrah, Zaheer Khan!! Rishabh Pant's pacer picks true inspiration
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Lucknow Super Giants pacer Prince Yadav, who was picked after a convincing show in the DPL, has now claimed that not Rishabh Pant or Zaheer Khan but former South African legend Dale Steyn is his biggest inspiration for featuring in international cricket.
23-year-old Delhi pacer Prince Yadav was picked by the Lucknow Super Giants for the IPL 2025 season after he had made a promising start to the Delhi Premier League. His performance looked convincing with the Delhi team before being recognized by the Rishabh Pant-led side.
"Two or three franchises had called me for trials, but LSG picked me. My trials went well almost everywhere, but the support I got from LSG was immense. I had been a net bowler with them earlier, and that helped me a lot," claimed Yadav.
"When I started taking wickets, I got a contract worth 30 lakh, which was a big step. Vijay Dahiya sir, who was part of the LSG support staff as assistant coach, also guided me a lot," he added.
Dale Steyn has been the inspiration for LSG pacer Prince Yadav
Though many modern-day Indian players have considered players like Jasprit Bumrah, the seasoned star for India, the LSG pacer has picked otherwise. He has picked a South African legend, Dale Steyn, as his inspiration for pace bowling, despite working under the shadow of one of India's most legendary pacers, Zaheer Khan.
"When I was very young, my favourite bowler was Brett Lee, but later Dale Steyn became my idol. I loved his aggression. I haven't met him yet, but I would love to meet him someday and take bowling tips from him," Prince said
Prince reveals Rishabh Pant's support in his debut IPL season
Prince Yadav made his debut in the DPL and impressed all as he made the new ball talk as well as nailed his yorkers right at the stumps. He picked 13 wickets in the inaugural season, and Rishabh Pant, who led LSG, brought him in as the pacer.
He played in just 6 games and has picked 3 wickets in the season, as he dismissed the likes of Travis Head, Will Jacks, and Nehal Wadhera in the season. Prince was also Delhi's highest wicket-taker in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
"Rishabh Pant always guided me. He often told me that in pressure situations, you should never let the pressure get to you and must always find a way out. The quicker you learn to handle pressure, the faster you will grow," Prince told TimesofIndia.com
"Whenever I felt doubt or pressure at any point, I would talk to him, and he would immediately clear it for me. He knows how to bounce back. Even if he wasn't performing at times, he never let it affect the team or himself. He kept the same bonding with everyone, the same energy, and always stayed positive," he said.
Prince Yadav thanks mentor Zaheer Khan for the big opportunity in LSG
Alongside Rishabh Pant, the LSG pacer has also credited the LSG mentor Zaheer Khan for backing him throughout his stay in the Lucknow camp and has thanked him for showing immense faith in his abilities.
"Zaheer sir has always backed me and taught me valuable lessons. Even as a net bowler, I bowled to almost all the players, and this year, as part of the main squad, I bowled to everyone in matches too. I even managed to dismiss some big names," the fast bowler added.
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Tagged:
Jasprit Bumrah Dale Steyn Zaheer Khan Prince Yadav IPL Delhi Premier League Lucknow Super Giants Rishabh Pant
