Kartikeya returned with the figures of 1/19 against RR.
Mumbai Indians (MI) spinner Kumar Kartikeya revealed that it's been 9 years since he went home, adding that he had decided that he will only return home once he "achieves something".
MI’s love affair with giving opportunities to exciting new talents continued. The Rohit Sharma-led side handed Kartikeya his debut cap in their latest encounter against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Saturday (April 30).
Kartikeya, who was recently added to the squad as a replacement for Arshad Khan, didn’t disappoint in his maiden outing. He bowled an economical spell and gave away just 19 runs. Not only this, but he also removed RR skipper Sanju Samson, who looked dangerous, for 16 runs. He also bowled 9 dot balls in his spell.
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Speaking to Dainik Jagran, Kumar Kartikeya said that he hasn’t been to his home for 9 years as he wanted to achieve something. Now, after being with MI, he can go home after the IPL.
"I haven't been home for 9 years. I'd decided to return home only when I achieve something in life. My mom and dad called me frequently, but I was committed. Now finally I'll return home after the IPL," Kartikeya said.
Kartikeya talked about how his coach suggested his name for Madhya Pradesh and how he came up as a standby in the U-23 team.
“My coach Sanjay sir had suggested my name for Madhya Pradesh. In the first year, my name came up in the Under-23 team as a standby player, and I felt a huge sense of relief to see my name on the list," he said.
After his heroics against RR in the first innings, Kartikeya spoke to the broadcasters, calling himself a mystery bowler, and said that he planned for every batter and got confidence when Sachin Tendulkar advised him.
"I am a mystery bowler. I feel good. When I found out I was playing I was a little nervous. But I planned overnight for every batter. I was trying to bowl it on the pads to Samson. I got a lot of confidence when Sachin sir advised me. I would want my team to win. The ball is spinning a little. The wicket is good though to bat on," Kartikeya told Star Sports.
His heroics with the ball helped MI restrict RR to a total of 158 runs and subsequently win the match by 5 wickets.
(Danik Jagran/ Star Sports inputs)