Kartik Tyagi would've been intimidating batsmen with his pace, hostility and eventually dislodging them with that beautiful swing much earlier in his career had he not gone down with a leg fracture ahead of what was to be only his second first-class game for Uttar Pradesh two years back.
Tyagi's injury held him back and cost his father all of his 2.5 acres of farming land in village Dhanora, West UP on his recovery.
He picked up another injury, a side strain prior to this U-19 World Cup in South Africa, which thankfully healed just in time for him to be available for selection. Hence, out-skilling and outsmarting the batsmen throughout these recent weeks must have felt even more satisfying for the sheer hardwork it has taken to reach where he is today, with the world talking about his potential.
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"I fractured my leg while playing football during warm-up on the match day. Then I developed an injury in my pelvic bone," Tyagi told TOI, prior to the tournament final against Bangladesh U-19 on Sunday (February 9), having bagged 11 wickets in five innings at an average of 10.91 and economy-rate of 3.50.
"We ran from pillar to post for my treatment. We started running out of money," he added. "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."
"I don't play football anymore. I stay out of any other sport that team plays during warm-ups."
The 19-year-old was happy when he was picked in the IPL auction by Rajasthan Royals at a sum of Rs 1.3 crore, which would help set things right for his father. But that period away from the game is one he has put behind. "Abhi maine sochna hi bandh kar diya. (I have stopped thinking about my injuries.) It would stop me from bowling with a free mind," he said. "Aur parents ke liye socha toh bahut kuchh hai. (I have thought of doing a lot of things for my parents). As for my earnings, I have left everything to my dad."
Tyagi was inspired by the likes of Brett Lee and Bhuvneshwar Kumar while growing up. "I was in awe of Bhuvneshwar Kumar's ability to swing it right during his dream spell on debut against Pakistan in 2012," he said. "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."
It was former India pacer Praveen Kumar who first saw Tyagi and suggested the then UP captain Suresh Raina to pick him for the Ranji team at the age of just 17.
"When I did well at the U-16 level, I was sent for a Ranji camp. There, Suresh Raina and PK (Praveen Kumar) bhaiya liked my bowling and decided to play me straightaway," he recollected.
"PK bhaiya was not supposed to play in that match but he decided to play so that he could guide me. I am so grateful that Raina bhai and PK bhaiya fielded at mid-off and mid-on to mentor me through the match."
(Inputs from TOI)
