Armed with the unique ability to bowl with both arms, the young spinner recently delivered a match-winning performance, picking up two crucial wickets for the defending champions, Kashi Rudras, in their victory over his former franchise, the Gaur Gorakhpur Lions. The sight of a bowler comfortably switching arms mid-over is a rarity in modern cricket, but 24-year-old Vijay Yadav is making it a familiar spectacle in the UP T20 League.
For the young spinner, however, the price tag was merely a stepping stone rather than a distraction. I got inspired by that. I got a lot of motivation that I should also do something good for the country. When it comes to his mindset and approach to the game, Yadav looks up to a modern-day icon who is synonymous with relentless work ethic. The exposure from the state-level franchise tournament has put him on the radar of some of the biggest teams in the country. “This platform is very big. “I have even given trials for MI (Mumbai Indians).
Yadav’s journey in the UP T20 League began when he was scouted as a promising local talent ahead of the 2024 season. He spent his first two years representing the Gaur Gorakhpur Lions before the Kashi Rudras roped him in for Rs 5.2 lakhs at the 2026 auction. “I started cricket in 2012 when India won the World Cup in 2011… With his performances in the UP T20 League, the 24-year-old is already knocking on the doors of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
I have also got a good platform here,” Yadav says, acknowledging the impact of the UP T20 League.
Last year, SRH (Sunrisers Hyderabad) also called me for trials.”
