Virat Kohli has spoken about his growing bond with young fast bowler Prince Yadav, shedding light on how their connection developed during the Vijay Hazare Trophy and continued into the IPL 2026 season. The discussion comes after Yadav dismissed Kohli with a standout delivery, a moment that quickly went viral and became one of the most talked-about highlights of the tournament.

The dismissal itself drew attention for its quality, with Prince Yadav producing a delivery that breached Kohli’s defence. However, the moment gained further significance after Yadav revealed that Kohli had earlier advised him about maintaining a consistent bowling channel during a previous interaction, adding an unexpected narrative layer to the wicket.

Kohli, addressing the growing conversation, explained that his familiarity with Yadav began during domestic cricket, where they first interacted during the Vijay Hazare Trophy season. He noted that while Yadav initially appeared intense on the field, he gradually opened up off it, revealing a more relaxed and approachable personality.

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The former India captain also mentioned the role of senior pacer Ishant Sharma in helping bridge the connection, stating that Ishant’s familiarity with Yadav helped him understand the youngster better. Kohli said this interaction eventually led to regular conversations and guidance exchanges between him and the emerging fast bowler during matches.

Kohli further emphasised his willingness to share insights with younger players, stating that experienced cricketers have a responsibility to help nurture emerging talent. He added that he had been offering on-field advice to Yadav during domestic matches and believes such knowledge-sharing ultimately benefits Indian cricket by raising overall standards as new players progress to higher levels.

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