The story of Madhav Tiwari is a captivating one, a testament to the power of passion and perseverance in the world of cricket. At the age of 22, Tiwari has already experienced the highs and lows of the sport, from the promise of a professional career to the bitter disappointment of missing out on a senior debut for his home state, Madhya Pradesh. But it is his unwavering dedication and the support of his family and coaches that have kept him in the game, and now, with a spot in the Indian Premier League (IPL) under his belt, his future looks bright.
Tiwari's journey began in the small town of Mauganj in Madhya Pradesh's Rewa district. His father, Awadhesh, and his two brothers moved to Indore, where the Tiwaris have resided for 45 years, running a transportation business. It was here that Madhav's love for cricket was nurtured, with his grandfather, a former cricketer, taking him to the Amay Khurasiya Cricket Academy, a 20km journey from home that often started at 5am. The academy, headed by former India international Khurasiya, provided the perfect environment for Tiwari to develop his skills.
Khurasiya recalls the moment he first met Tiwari, noting his enthusiasm and timing as a child. He remembers how Tiwari, despite being just a short boy, had a natural ability and attitude in matches that stood out. Khurasiya's training methods, which included everyone batting and bowling unless they were a wicketkeeper, played a crucial role in Tiwari's development. This approach helped Tiwari become a natural with the ball, someone who "loves playing red-ball cricket."
Tiwari's dedication to the sport was evident in his willingness to play even after his peers had left for home. He would summon a friend out late into the night to hit the nets, with his father encouraging him and watching along. This level of commitment was further showcased when Tiwari broke his thumb in an U12 game and still managed to bowl the winning over, snatching the ball from the captain and declaring, 'I want to bowl this over.'
When the COVID-19 lockdown threatened to steal crucial time in Tiwari's development years, the teenager sourced a bowling machine to train indoors, breaking the walls of the house with cricket balls. This determination to find a way to play the sport was always Madhav's premier objective.
Tiwari's progress, however, wasn't always steady. Despite his rare profile as a batting all-rounder who bowls pace, a senior debut for Madhya Pradesh hadn't materialized. But his talent didn't go unnoticed, and he made a decent impression for the Bhopal Leopards in the inaugural edition of the Madhya Pradesh T20 League in 2024. Among batters who faced at least 30 balls that season, Tiwari's strike-rate of 205.71 was the second highest, and his ability to bowl seam-up added to his appeal.
The Delhi Capitals saw enough to snap him up for his base price of INR 40 lakh. Tiwari made his IPL debut against the Punjab Kings at Dharamsala in the 2025 season, but the game was abruptly halted due to escalating border tensions. When the tournament resumed, Tiwari played one more game, against the Mumbai Indians, where he was dismissed for just three by a dipping slower yorker from Jasprit Bumrah.
Despite the setbacks, Tiwari's commitment to the sport remained unwavering. He missed his sister's wedding to take part in a game in Ahmedabad, and his dedication was further showcased when he took 2 for 40 against Punjab, at the very venue where his IPL debut was cut short last year. This performance earned him the Player of the Match award, and he struck 18 not out to see DC to victory in a tight match.
Tiwari's future looks bright, with Khurasiya envisioning a bright future for his pupil. He describes Tiwari as a "very lethal bowler with the red ball" who is intelligent and can control his swing at 137-138 kph. Khurasiya's belief in Tiwari's potential was further emphasized when he reached out to the family, asking them to focus only on Madhav's nutritional needs, adding, 'Just leave the rest to me, nobody can stop him from playing for India.'
Tiwari's story is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance in the world of cricket. His journey from a small town in Madhya Pradesh to the IPL showcases the importance of support and guidance, and the impact that coaches and family can have on a player's development. As Tiwari continues to pursue his dreams, his story will undoubtedly inspire others to pursue their passions with unwavering dedication.
