Madhav Tiwari getting Player of the Match in IPL 2026. PC- @wokeflix
In Match 55 of the IPL 2026, the Delhi Capitals (DC) pulled off a heist by beating the Punjab Kings in a nerve-wracking chase, thanks to unreal hitting from Ashutosh Sharma and young Madhav Tiwari.
Chasing 211 runs in Dharamsala, DC were down and out for the majority of the chase, but half-centuries from Axar Patel and David Miller rescued them. However, the ever-reliable Ashutosh Sharma, along with Madhav Tiwari and Auqib Nabi, provided Delhi the finishing touches.
Thanks to the gung-ho hitting, the Capitals were able to defeat PBKS with an over to spare. Playing just his second match in the lucrative league, Madhav Tiwari bagged the Player of the Match award for bagging two wickets and hitting an unbeaten 18 off 8 balls.
BCCI handpicks faulty business for award ceremony
As the 22-year-old Madhav Tiwari was honoured, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the IPL committee made a blunder. The top authorities picked a Punjab-based businessman, Gautam Malhotra, to award the all-rounder, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) two years ago.
Malhotra was taken under custody by the ED under the criminal sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), with links from the CBI FIR against the former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia in the famous Liquor Case.
Also Read: The Axar Patel Influence: When Was The Last Time An IPL Innings Happened Without Spin?
"As recorded in the order, Gautam Malhotra is alleged to have paid Rs. 2.5 crore in bribes as part of the kickback arrangement and earned profits of Rs. 6.9 crore through cartelized operations. It was further alleged that Rs. 24.25 crore was invested in Nova Garments Pvt. Ltd., now known as Diamond Liquors Pvt. Ltd., through related entities, resulting in control over retail liquor operations, which was barred under the policy. A further Rs. 0.49 crore was allegedly received through excess credit notes from Brindco Sales Pvt. Ltd," a report from LiveLaw Biz had stated against Gautam Malhotra.
Fans calls out BCCI for its blunder
After the BCCI's blunder was picked up on the social media, fans have started calling out the Indian board for its blunder.
However, some are also defending the board on the basis of naivety.
After the CBI failed to produce enough evidence of wrongdoing against the Punjab-based business owner, Gaurav Malhotra, he was discharged by a Delhi court in February 2026.
What is the Delhi Liquor Case?
The Delhi liquor case is a infamous scandal, involving then the Aam Aadmi Party, who were back in power in Delhi, in the 2021-2022 Excise Policy. The then ruling party, especially its CM Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia were alleged of taking bribes to favor private liquor firms, causing an alleged INR 580 crore loss to the exchequer.
As of February 26, 2026, a Delhi court discharged the former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia as the CBI failed to produce enough evidence of wrongdoing.
Madhav Tiwari wrote his in name in mountains
PBKS vs DC turned out to be a special affair, the special match played in the scenic Dharamsala. Both teams were down and looking to revive their campaign before that match, with everyone discounting Delhi.
However, then DC had a spirited Madhav Tiwari, who first registered two big scalps in the form of Priyansh Arya and Cooper Connolly. Later, in the chase, when the Capitals required 41 runs off 21 balls. He was a subline hand of 18* runs, stitching two crucial partnerships in DC’s win.
Although DC are still placed seventh on the IPL 2026 points table, they can still quality for the playoffs.
Also Read: Punjab Kings Qualification Scenario For IPL 2026 Playoffs After Defeat vs Delhi Capitals
