The India colts have toppled numerous milestones on their road to the finals of the U19 World Cup. But the larger picture shows how they have overcome personal crisis. Kartik Tyagi’s story is one of the few inspiring tales. The pacer has bagged 11 wickets so far in the competition, a final hurrah against Bangladesh will seal the template.
Kartik made his first-class debut at the tender age of 16 for Uttar Pradesh with Railways in the opposition. But a couple of injuries sidelined his growth and climb. The Hapur-born lad saw his father sell off 2.5 acres of farming land in his village Dhanora, situated in West UP. The spirited cricketer succumbed to a side strain ahead of the marquee event but recovered on time.
“I fractured my leg while playing football during warm-up on the match day. Then I developed an injury in my pelvic bone,” Kartik was quoted as saying to the Times of India (TOI) from Potchefstroom.
Kartik Tyagi clocks back time ahead of the decisive clash
The struggle was real but it made Kartik strong. He has played just one first-class game but by the looks of his current antics, the youngster might well get into the state’s scheme of things. Kartik narrated his struggle as he now looks to take India to the summit and tick-off a dream.
Kartik Tyagi celebrating one of the wickets (Credits: Twitter)
“We ran from pillar to post for my treatment. We started running out of money. After five months, I asked the UPCA to recommend me to the NCA. It took me another six months to start cricket and by then my father had to sell off all his land,” he added.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar. (Photo by Action Foto Sport/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Kartik didn’t have to look too far for an inspiration. India’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar is his idol. The India international’s skill in terms of swing and movement made Kartik fall in love with the art. He recalls Bhuvneshwar’s debut against arch-rivals Pakistan, where he castled the timber for good.
“I was in awe of Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s ability to swing it right during his dream spell on debut against Pakistan in 2012. But I love watching Brett Lee’s videos. He had finished playing when I took up cricket but everything is online. I like the way he bowled consistently at that pace and swung it too,” Tyagi added.
