‘Haven’t been home for nine years’ – Kumar Kartikeya opens up on his journey in cricket

Kumar Kartikeya made his debut for Mumbai in the ongoing Indian T20 League 2022 in the game against Rajasthan on April 30, 2022. Kartikeya gave away only 19 runs in his quota of four overs and took his maiden wicket in the form of Sanju Samson. Analyzing his bowling, former New Zealand left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori said that the 24-year-old didn’t give Rajasthan a single bad ball.

Talking about the game, Mumbai won their first game in the 15th season as they beat the 2008 winners by five wickets on Saturday. Notably, the left-arm spinner was not part of the setup initially. He was signed by the five-time winners after left-arm medium-pacer Arshad Khan got injured and became unavailable for the rest of the season.

Kartikeya hails from Sultanpur in Uttar Pradesh and has played nine T2s0s for his state team before making his debut in the cash-rich league. Following his performances in his debut game, he said that he would be happy if the fans call him as a mystery spinner.

He also revealed that he was nervous when he came to know that he would be playing the game. The Sultanpur player added that he planned for every Rajasthan batter on the day before the game.

“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,” he said during the innings break in the game between Mumbai and Rajasthan.

The Madhya Pradesh player, in an interview, revealed that he hasn’t visited his parents in the last nine years. He also said that he speaks to his parents on the phone but will only return to them after the Indian T20 League 2022.

“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 told Dainik Jagran.