Young pacer Kartik Tyagi found himself on cloud nine after an impressive performance in the 2020 ICC U19 World Cup. He picked 11 wickets in 6 wickets with the best bowling figures of 4/24. Though the team came up short in the final against Bangladesh, Tyagi proved his skills on the world stage.
The right-arm pacer from Uttar Pradesh got an IPL contract with Rajasthan Royals and was looking forward to playing in his maiden T20 tournament of such a level. Unfortunately for him, the fans and everyone else, the IPL 2020 had to be deferred till April 15 as a result of the global Coronavirus pandemic.
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This has obviously put a spanner in his preparations for the tournament, but Kartik’s father prepared a proper pitch for him in his backyard so that he can continue his training without problems. "I can't think about the uncontrollable. My job is to train and be ready as and when the action starts. I train for four hours every day. Two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening," the 18-year-old said.
"Yes, I have pitch in my backyard so I am able to do single wicket bowling. Also, I am doing a bit of physical training with the medicine ball. Currently, I am working on both my front foot and back foot landing. Also, I am following the routines given by our trainer Anand Date," Tyagi revealed.
When asked about the queries he would have had for his international teammates in RR like captain Steve Smith and Jos Buttler, Tyagi replied, “Nothing as such. What I thought was when I am there with the best in the business, I need to see where I stand.”
Though the BCCI has not taken a final call on this year’s IPL, which was supposed to start on March 29; by all means, it seems like that the April 15 deadline will most probably pass away with the tournament not starting, given the pandemic getting serious.
The COVID-19 virus has affected more than 730,000 people worldwide with mover 34,000 dead. In India itself, more than 1,000 people have been tested positive for this virus and 29 people have lost their lives so far.
The Indian PM announced a 21-day lockdown till April 14 to keep the pandemic from getting into the third stage of community transmission.
(PTI inputs)
