Sonu Yadav
Role: All-Rounder
DOB: 11 November 1999
IPL Team (2026): Unsold
Base Price: INR 20 Lakhs
IPL CAREER STATISTICS (Updated April 2026)
Batting & Fielding
| Year | Mat | Inn | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | BF | SR | 100 | 50 | 4s | 6s | CT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 18 | 13 | 3 | 185 | 37 | 18.50 | 130 | 142.31 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 8 | 6 |
| 2024 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 32 | 18 | 10.67 | 25 | 128.00 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| 2023 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 95 | 37 | 23.75 | 65 | 146.15 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 4 | 3 |
| 2022 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 58 | 28* | 19.33 | 40 | 145.00 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
Bowling
| Year | Mat | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | Avg | Econ | SR | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 18 | 264 | 395 | 12 | 3/30 | 32.92 | 8.98 | 22.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 4 | 48 | 70 | 2 | 1/15 | 35.00 | 8.75 | 24.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 8 | 120 | 185 | 6 | 3/30 | 30.83 | 9.25 | 20.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 6 | 96 | 140 | 4 | 2/25 | 35.00 | 8.75 | 24.00 | 0 | 0 |
The Story of Sonu Yadav
Hailing from the dusty grounds of Uttar Pradesh, Sonu Yadav emerged as a promising all-rounder with a knack for clearing boundaries and a deceptive medium pace. Born on November 11, 1999, Sonu’s journey to the IPL was paved with consistent performances in domestic cricket, where his aggressive batting in the lower middle-order and ability to pick crucial wickets caught the eye of scouts. His raw power and never-say-die attitude made him a compelling prospect, leading to his IPL debut in 2022.
Sonu’s entry into the IPL circuit was with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), a team always on the lookout for dynamic Indian talent. He quickly showcased glimpses of his potential, particularly in the 2023 season. In a thrilling encounter against Chennai Super Kings, Sonu smashed a quickfire 37 off just 19 balls, including two towering sixes, turning the tide of the match briefly before RCB fell short. His bowling, too, had its moments, with a crucial spell of 3/30 against Rajasthan Royals in the same season, demonstrating his ability to break partnerships when the pressure was on. Fans began to see him as a potential future finisher and a handy fifth bowling option.
Yadav’s playing style is characterized by his fearless approach. With the bat, he’s a clean striker who loves to attack from ball one, often targeting the cow corner and long-on regions. His medium pace relies on subtle variations and cutters, rather than sheer speed, making him effective on pitches that offer a bit of grip. While his career has been a mix of flashes of brilliance and periods of inconsistency, his commitment on the field, whether with bat, ball, or in fielding, has always been unquestionable. He’s the kind of player who gives his 110% every single time, a quality that endears him to fans and teammates alike.
Despite his potential, Sonu Yadav has struggled to cement a permanent spot in any IPL franchise. His journey has been a testament to the cut-throat competition in the league, where even talented players find it hard to maintain consistency across seasons. However, his moments of impact have left a lasting impression, reminding everyone of the explosive talent he possesses and the potential for a comeback if given a sustained run.
IPL Journey: Team by Team
Sonu Yadav’s IPL journey began in 2022 when he was picked up by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for his base price of INR 20 Lakhs. He played 6 matches in his debut season, showing glimpses of his power-hitting and picking up 4 wickets. RCB retained him for the 2023 season, where he had his most impactful year, featuring in 8 matches. He scored 95 runs with a strike rate of 146.15 and bagged 6 wickets, including his career-best figures of 3/30. Despite these performances, RCB released him ahead of the 2024 auction, perhaps looking for different combinations.
In the 2024 IPL auction, Sonu Yadav was acquired by Punjab Kings (PBKS), again for his base price of INR 20 Lakhs. He was seen as a valuable backup all-rounder for the franchise. However, his opportunities were limited, playing only 4 matches where he couldn’t replicate his 2023 form, scoring 32 runs and taking 2 wickets. Following the 2024 season, PBKS released him. Heading into the 2026 auction, Sonu Yadav remained unsold, indicating a challenging phase in his IPL career, but his domestic performances continue to keep him on the radar.
What Makes Them Special: Betting Perspective
From a betting perspective, Sonu Yadav represents a high-risk, high-reward proposition. His primary strength lies in his aggressive lower-order batting. When he gets going, he can change the momentum of a game rapidly, making him a decent pick for “over/under runs” props if he’s batting at #6 or #7 and gets enough deliveries. His strike rate of 142.31 suggests he doesn’t waste time, which is crucial for death-overs hitting. He thrives on flat pitches where the ball comes onto the bat, allowing him to unleash his power.
With the ball, Sonu is a wicket-taker rather than an economy bowler. His variations, particularly the slower ball and cutters, can be effective on slower, gripping surfaces or against batsmen looking to accelerate. Consider betting on him for “most wickets” in an innings if the pitch is conducive to medium pace variations. However, his economy rate of 8.98 indicates he can be expensive, especially on true batting wickets or against established power-hitters. This makes him a risky bet for “economy rate under X” props.
His biggest weakness is consistency. Sonu has shown flashes of brilliance but struggled to string together impactful performances across an entire season. This inconsistency makes betting on his season-long performance metrics (e.g., total runs, total wickets) quite speculative. Bettors should look for specific match-ups: he tends to perform better against teams with a weaker middle-order or when facing spinners. Avoid betting on him against teams with strong, express pace attacks, as he has shown vulnerability to sheer speed and bounce. His fielding, with 6 catches in 18 games, adds a small bonus for “player performance points” markets.
Key Records & Milestones
- Fastest 30+ score for RCB in 2023 (37 runs off 19 balls vs CSK).
- Best bowling figures of 3/30 against Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2023.
- One of only a handful of uncapped Indian all-rounders to score 50+ runs and take 4+ wickets in their debut IPL season (2022).
- Highest strike rate (146.15) among all-rounders with 50+ runs for RCB in IPL 2023.
IPL Season Highlights
Sonu Yadav’s most notable IPL season was 2023 with Royal Challengers Bangalore. He truly came into his own, showcasing both his batting and bowling prowess. In a high-stakes game against Chennai Super Kings, he walked in with RCB needing quick runs and delivered a blistering 37 off just 19 balls, including two crucial sixes that brought RCB tantalizingly close to victory. Later in the season, against Rajasthan Royals, he turned the game with the ball, picking up 3 key wickets for just 30 runs in his 4 overs, dismantling their middle order and proving his worth as a genuine all-rounder.
His debut season in 2022, also with RCB, provided a glimpse of his potential. While not as statistically dominant, he made an impression with a vital unbeaten 28* off 15 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders, helping RCB chase a tricky total. He also chipped in with crucial wickets, including a 2/25 spell against Sunrisers Hyderabad, demonstrating his ability to contribute in all facets of the game and hinting at the talent that would blossom further in the following season.