IPL 2026: Meet Delhi Capitals’ new match winner Madhav Tiwari, who changed his fortunes in a single match.

Delhi Capitals (DC) has got a new star in the IPL 2026 season. In the close match played against Punjab Kings at Dharamshala ground, 22 year old young all-rounder Madhav Tiwari did what hardly anyone had expected. Madhav not only handled Delhi’s faltering innings, but also made the team win a lost game with his sharp bowling and stormy batting. Since the match, there is only one discussion everywhere, who is this player whom Delhi had kept as ‘Chupa Rustam’?

Delhi’s ‘troubleshooter’ in difficult times

While chasing the huge target of 211 runs, Delhi Capitals were struggling at one time, losing 4 wickets for 74 runs. Captain Akshar Patel and David Miller definitely handled the innings, but in the end the match was stuck again. In such a situation, Madhav Tiwari, who came to bat at number eight, surprised everyone by playing a cameo inning of unbeaten 18 runs in just 8 balls. He not only rotated the strike but also played big shots in moments of pressure and took Delhi across the threshold of victory.

Showed strength in bowling also, took two important wickets

Madhav Tiwari proved to be a legend for Punjab not only with the bat but also with the ball. On the seam and swing friendly pitch of Dharamshala, he troubled the Punjab batsmen with his pace and precise length. He took important wickets of in-form openers Priyansh Arya and Cooper Connolly. Madhav, who took 2 wickets for 40 runs in his quota of 4 overs, was adjudged ‘Player of the Match’ for his excellent all-round performance.

From a small town in Madhya Pradesh to the big stage of IPL

Madhav Tiwari, originally from Madhya Pradesh, was bought by Delhi Capitals for Rs 40 lakh in the 2025 auction. Last season he did not get many opportunities, but in 2026 he has proved his talent. Without any major domestic cricket experience (first-class or List A), coming straight to a big stage like the IPL and performing like this shows his confidence. Madhav told after the match that he had been working a lot on his bowling with bowling coach Munaf Patel in the nets and on his range-hitting with his batting coach, which bore fruit today.