‘Josh Hazlewood-like accuracy’ – Ian Smith reacts to Prince Yadav’s peach to clean up Finn Allen in 2nd T20I

Prince Yadav produced the standout delivery of India’s bowling effort in the 2nd T20I of the India Tour of New Zealand on October 24, 2026, sending Finn Allen’s leg stump cartwheeling with a full, straight ball aimed precisely at the base of the stumps. The dismissal left New Zealand in early trouble at 41/3 and drew an immediate, enthusiastic reaction from the commentary box.

Allen had pre-meditated a scoop over the keeper and shuffled well across the crease to execute it. Prince, however, pitched the ball very full on middle and leg, and Allen’s early movement worked against him, leaving him with no time to get underneath the delivery. It went through the gap and clipped the leg stump. Allen departed for 16 off 14 balls.

Commentator Ian Smith could barely contain his excitement as the stump went back, saying: “Oh, bowled him! Just got a little bit too cute, went across too far, and he was out, thought there. Josh Hazlewood like accuracy!” The comparison to the Australian seamer underlined just how well Prince had read and executed the situation.

What does Prince Yadav’s performance mean for his India prospects?

The delivery that removed Allen was the kind that bowlers spend careers trying to perfect: full, straight and landing precisely at the base of the stumps. It drew comparisons with Josh Hazlewood’s pin-point accuracy, and the manner in which Prince executed it under Powerplay conditions, when the field is still up and batters are looking to attack, showed a bowler who trusted his length rather than panicking.

It is worth noting that the final overs did not go entirely Prince’s way, as Bracewell took ten runs off two deliveries from him. That, however, is part of the learning process for a young seamer. What stood out was his temperament: he did not overthink the moment and celebrated in a manner that suggested he belongs at this level. India have strong seam options, with Arshdeep and Bhuvneshwar leading the attack, but a pacer who can target the stumps in the Powerplay offers a different dimension.

Also Read: ‘Nitish Kumar Reddy certainly growing in confidence as an all-rounder’ — Irfan Pathan lauds 23-year-old after 2nd T20I heroics

India eventually won the match by four wickets, chasing down a 181-run target with one ball to spare. The Men in Blue have taken a 2-0 lead with three games left to play.