'Was a big moment' - Kartik Tyagi reveals how Jasprit Bumrah 'discussed many things' during Australia tour

Rajasthan Royals fast-bowler Kartik Tyagi has been the talk of the town since his recent heroics against Punjab Kings in the second leg of the IPL 2021 in the UAE. Defending just four runs in the last over, with two set batters at the crease, no one would have given a chance to the 20-year-old. He ended up bowling six balls and conceding only one run and picking up two wickets. 

Tyagi’s upward rise in the Indian cricket system is another example of how the BCCI has managed young players, especially fast-bowlers in recent times. Tyagi is one of the more recent pace-bowling stars who has emerged from strong performances in U-19 cricket and now that standard has been tested in the IPL as well. 

Interestingly enough, he was one of the net bowlers during India’s tour of Australia in 2020-21. By the end of that tour, he remained the only net bowler as others were transferred to the main squad due to injuries to a lot of players. After that, during the U-19 World Cup in 2020, he picked up 11 wickets in six games at 13.91. 

Didn’t go to Jasprit bhaiya as I was nervous but he came to me and discussed many things: Kartik Tyagi

“When I went to Australia, I learned a lot. A lot of players were injured and a youngster can also win the tournament and I also want to win matches for India,” Tyagi said during the virtual press conference after the match. He further spoke about Jasprit Bumrah’s influence on him. “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,” he said.

After his heroic performance, Bumrah took to Twitter praising the youngster. He wrote, “What an over, #KartikTyagi! To maintain a cool head under that kind of pressure and to get the job done, great stuff, very impressive!” Tyagi was asked about Bumrah’s praise and the bowler expressed what it meant to him as a youngster. 

“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,” Tyagi said.