'Josh Hazlewood-like accuracy': Ian Smith impressed by Prince Yadav's zinger to clean up NZ's Finn Allen originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- India star Prince Yadav bowled a full delivery that knocked back Finn Allen’s leg stump, leaving New Zealand 41/3.
- Glenn Phillips and Bevon Jacobs hit back with a 116-run stand before India’s pacers struck late.
- New Zealand finished on 180/5 after Michael Bracewell hit a four and a six off Prince.
Stump uprooted! Ian Smith showers high praise on Prince Yadav after a peach to dismiss Finn Allen
A ball of the kind that bowlers dream of, full and straight and perfectly aimed at the base of the stumps, gave Prince Yadav the biggest moment of India’s bowling effort and drew comparisons with the pin-point accuracy of Josh Hazlewood.
Allen had clearly planned his shot in advance, since he shuffled across the crease with the intention of scooping the ball over the keeper.
Prince, however, pitched it very full on middle and leg, and the batter’s early movement worked against him, as it left him unable to get under the ball in time. The delivery went through the gap and hit the leg stump.
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Allen walked off for 16 from 14 balls, and New Zealand were reduced to 41/3.
Commentator Ian Smith was excited to watch the stumps take a walk, and he said: "Oh, bowled him! Just got a little bit too cute, went across too far, and he was out, thought there. Josh Hazlewood like accuracy!"
SCOOPED HIMSELF INTO TROUBLE 😬 Finn Allen tries the fancy route, but Prince Yadav has the final say! Watch the HERO VIDA India Tour of New Zealand, 2nd T20I LIVE NOW on Sony Sports Network TV channels, Sony LIV & Sony Vizha. #SonySportsNetwork #SonyLIV #SonyVizha #NZvIND https://t.co/LUQCFQ3y2M
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) October 24, 2026
Phillips and Jacobs build a 116-run partnership to rescue New Zealand
India chose to bowl first, and the new-ball pair gave them a strong start. Arshdeep Singh got rid of Tim Seifert for 7 in the second over when the opener sliced a pull straight to Tilak Varma.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar followed soon after by dismissing Daryl Mitchell for 6 in the third over in a very similar manner, which meant the hosts had lost two wickets before they could settle.
The pressure did not ease once Prince had done his job. Axar Patel bowled his four overs for 28 runs without taking a wicket, but his control made boundaries hard to find, and he was helped by Naman Dhir and Nitish Kumar Reddy at the other end.
Glenn Phillips and Bevon Jacobs chose to rotate the strike and rebuild, which took New Zealand to 60/3 after 8.5 overs and 72/3 at the halfway mark.
Things started to change from the 12th over onwards, as the two batters started to go after the seamers. Phillips struck the ball cleanly and with power, finishing with 70 off 43 balls that included four sixes and four fours.
Jacobs, for his part, reached his first T20I fifty off 41 balls and ended up with 58 off 46 deliveries, with five fours and a six. Bhuvneshwar’s 16th over cost 18 runs and brought up the hundred stand, and the senior seamer ended with 1/50 from his four overs.
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Prince Yadav’s maturity under pressure is what India should notice
A single wicket does not make a career, but the way Prince went about his work deserves some attention. He was handed the last over of the Powerplay, which is a difficult spot for any young bowler, as the field is still up and the batters are looking to cash in before the circle goes back.
Allen had a plan, and Prince had a better one, and the fullness of the delivery showed a bowler who trusted his length and did not panic.
It would be fair to point out that the final over did not go his way, since Bracewell took him for ten off two deliveries. Yet that is part of a bowler's learning at this stage, and what counts more is how he responds.
The comparison with Hazlewood is a big one and should be treated carefully, as accuracy at this level has to be maintained match after match.
What stands out is his temperament. He didn’t overthink the moment, and he celebrated like someone who believes he belongs.
India have plenty of seam options, with Arshdeep and Bhuvneshwar leading the way, but a pacer who can attack the stumps in the Powerplay offers something different. If he keeps landing the ball in the right areas, the selectors will find it hard to leave him out.
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