Rajasthan Royals (RR) pacer Kartik Tyagi has acknowledged that touring Australia as Team India’s net bowler last year benefitted him immensely, during which he also got a chance to interact with ace fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah.
Tyagi’s comments came after he pulled off a heist for RR against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in an IPL 2021 match in Dubai on Tuesday (September 21).
PBKS needed 4 runs in the final over with 8 wickets in hand, but Tyagi conceded only one and dismissed two batsmen to take the Royals over the line.
WATCH - Kartik Tyagi dances shirtless after win over PBKS
“When I went to Australia, I learnt a lot. Lot of players were injured and a youngster can also win the tournament and I also want to win matches for India,” said Tyagi during a virtual press conference, as quoted by PTI.
Mumbai Indians (MI) paceman Bumrah had lauded Tyagi on Twitter after his remarkable exploits against Punjab.
“When I went to Australia, I didn’t go to Jasprit bhaiya because I was nervous but he came to me and discussed many things with me and it was a big moment,” the 20-year-old said.
“Personally when I saw that he had tweeted about me, I felt very happy because he is among the world’s best bowlers and he is my hero and he has tweeted about me.”
Reflecting on the last over, Tyagi said he looked to bowl six yorkers.
“When Mustafizur Rahman was bowling, it didn’t seem that the match will go till the last over because a left-hander was batting and left-arm fast bowler was bowling and it was a shorter end,” he said.
“But as he gave just four runs the match reached last over, there was little pressure and excitement too, but I didn’t think I will be able to defend the score.
“When I had bowled three balls, I started having the belief that probably it is possible and then when in the last ball it happened, I felt very happy.”
Tyagi, who removed the dangerous Nicholas Pooran (32) and Deepak Hooda (0) in the final over, said he didn’t feel any pressure when he was asked to bowl the last over.
“When I was in the run-up, Sanju bhaiya (Sanju Samson), Chris Morris, they asked me what was my plans and also discussed their plans. They supported a lot,” he said.
“I didn’t feel any pressure because four was needed in six balls. I would have been in more pressure if I needed to defend 10 runs in six balls because people will naturally think that we have lost the match because it is possible to score 4 runs in six balls.
“I too felt that it will be chased in 3-4 balls because even if they take four singles it will be over but once I bowled three balls, everybody started believing that the match can turn now and I was clear that I need to bowl six yorkers in six balls.”
Rajasthan will face the rampaging Delhi Capitals on Saturday (September 25) but Tyagi isn’t thinking about the opponent and is only focussing on the process.
“Not only Delhi capitals, all the teams are good. So I am not planning against any particular team, I am just following the process. Like even in last over, I had to bowl just six balls, so I just want to follow the process,” he said.
(With PTI inputs)
