Who is Madhav Tiwari? Delhi Capitals all-rounder scores match-winning 18 vs Punjab Kings in IPL 2026

Before the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 clash between the Delhi Capitals (DC) and the Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala, Madhav Tiwari was only a normal bowling all-rounder for Madhya Pradesh. But he scripted his name in everyone’s mind with a match-winning knock of unbeaten 18 runs. 

The DC captain, Axar Patel, won the toss and decided to bowl first and confirmed five changes to their playing eleven. For their must-win contest, they handed a debut to Madhav, who showed his impressive composure against the Shreyas Iyer-led side. 

Who is Madhav Tiwari? The Delhi Capitals all-rounder making waves in IPL 2026

Madhav Tiwari, who was born in 2003 in Mauganj village, is regarded as one of the emerging players of the state. Despite not having domestic experience yet at the senior level, the Capitals showed full confidence in the youngster by signing him in the auction after his impressive age-group and franchise-level tournaments. 

He came into the side for INR 40 lakh and made his debut last year against the Mumbai Indians. After being dismissed for just three runs at the Wankhede Stadium, he didn’t get a chance to bowl in that contest.

Tiwari has played for the Madhya Pradesh side at the U-19 and U-23 levels and featured in the 2024-25 CK Nayudu Trophy. He impressed with two fifties in the event, including a fighting 83 against Mumbai when they were struggling at 183/6 after being followed on.

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In the Madhya Pradesh T20 League, he featured for the Bhopal Leopards. Known for his raw pace and powerful shots, Madhav had a superb campaign when he smashed 108 runs in five innings at a blistering strike rate of 180. He drilled a jaw-dropping 31-ball 65 against Rewa Jaguars to help Leopards reach the final.  

How Madhav Tiwari’s unbeaten 18 turned the game in DC’s favour vs PBKS

Madhav’s very first wicket of the evening against Punjab Kings in the IPL 2026 was of Priyansh Arya. The left-handed batter looked to carve the good length delivery over the off-side. But his bat turned on impact and ended up slicing it off the thick outside edge into the hands of deep point’s throat.

He continued the fabulous bowling with another big wicket of Cooper Connolly, who failed to connect the slower ball and found the deep mid-wicket fielder. The pacer ended with figures of 2/40 in his four overs.

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But his biggest outstanding came with the bat when he banged back and steered the short ball behind the square of the off-side for his first-ball boundary. He went for the full-throttle heave for a six against Marcus Stoinis before slicing Yash Thakur’s yorker for another boundary.

The India batter remained unbeaten on 18 runs off just eight balls as DC completed an unbelievable chase of 211 runs with an over to spare. The management hopes to see this youngster bring more success for them in the future.