IPL: Workhorse RR bowler Kartik Tyagi enjoys moment of glory in Dubai
Kartik Tyagi delivered a softened reaction after making one of the best final shots while defending the Rajasthan Royals ‘ goal against the Punjab Kings on Tuesday in the 2021 IPL.
The 20-year-old, known for his fiery celebrations, was just soaking in the moment, knowing he has done something special, something that will be remembered for a long, long time by the cricket fraternity.
Kartik Tyagi was entrusted with the responsibility of bowling the last over when Punjab Kings needed just 4 runs in the last over with 8 wickets in hand. He did the improbable – gave away just 1 runs and picked up 2 wickets.
Kumar Sangakkara jumped with delight at the dug-out. Kartik was the center of attention. His Rajasthan Royals teammates surrounded him and embraced him. Standing in the middle of the pitch in Dubai, Kartik was enjoying his moment of glory.
Kartik has picked up 12 wickets in 2 seasons in the Indian Premier League. The 20-year-old has showcased that he is a bowler with a lot of heart, who will give it his all on the field.
Kartik Tyagi comes from Hapur in Uttar Pradesh, the region that has produced some of the finest Indian pacers, including Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Praveen Kumar. Coming from a farming family, Kartik fought past many hurdles, including economic difficulty.
When he wanted to take up cricket as a career option, his parents were willing to back him but he did not find the same encouragement from the rest of his close ones.
However, that did not stop Kartik from following his passion. Having joined a cricket academy in Meerut, Kartik made his first-class debut when he was 16 but injury concerns hampered his nascent career. A two-year period filled with injury concerns followed but Kartik was able to find a place in India’s U-19 World Cup squad in 2020.
When Kartik made the ball talk in South Africa
When a big opportunity came his way, Kartik made the most of it. The Uttar Pradesh Pacer was the pick of India’s bowling attack at the U-19 World Cup, bowling 44 overs and picking up as many as 11 wickets in the campaign.
Kartik’s ability to crank up pace and get movement both in the air and off the pitch made life difficult for opposition batsmen. The youngster had the ability to bowl the difficult overs and step up whenever his captain wanted breakthroughs.
Kartik’s economy rate at the U19 World Cup in South Africa was less than 3.7 per over.
Royals hand Kartik IPL opportunity
Former West Indies pacer Ian Bishop was might impressed with Kartik and incidentally, the legendary fast bowler was on-air when the 20-year-old picked up his maiden wicket in the IPL last year after having been bought by Rajasthan Royals in the auction.
Kartik went on to play 10 matches for the Royals in 2020 and picked up 9 wickets. A big breakthrough came following the IPL in the UAE as Kartik was picked as a net bowler for India on their tour of Australia.
The behind-the-scenes workhorse in Australia
It was in Australia that Kartik learned the trick of the trade from the best in the business. The youngster never shied away from his responsibility as a net bowler as he was India’s workhorse behind the scenes Down Under.
Having had the experience of rubbing shoulders with the Indian elite, Kartik was primed for more success in IPL 2021. However, an injury forced him out of action and just before he could hit peak fitness, the season was called off.
“I was injured during the India leg of the IPL and by the time I got fit, the tournament was suspended. Felt sad. So this feels really good. I have been talking to people over the years and they keep telling me that things keep changing in this format, so I need to keep believing,” Kartik said on Tuesday.
Kartik reaped the reward for all the hard yards that he had put in over the last few years on Tuesday in Dubai. 6 balls, 1 run and 2 wickets. The Hapur boy is certainly one for the future!
