Rajasthan Royals’ (RR) bowling sensation Kartik Tyagi, who achieved a unique feat in Indian Premier League (IPL) with his last-over heroics in the thrilling two-run win over Punjab Kings (PBKS), spoke exclusively to Sports Tak and revealed the pressure of bowling the final over, his special moments with Indian skipper Virat Kohli and frontline bowler Jasprit Bumrah.
Here are a few excerpts from the interview:
What was on your mind when you were to bowl that final over?
Literally, there was nothing on my mind before the over because when I was defending 4 runs and there are 8 wickets still left. So, there was nothing on my mind because it looked like the match was almost over. I was like let’s see, whatever happens. I was focusing on my plan to bowl yorkers and execute them as the result wasn’t in my hands. I did not want to focus on the results. I will do what I have been asked to do and what I can do. And the result was for everyone to see.
How much was the pressure?
The pressure was before the match and I didn’t feel the pressure in the last over. If I am bowling and I have to defend 10 for 6, that can be done. But 4 from 6 don’t (just) happen. It happens once in ten years. After 3 balls, I started believing and had a little bit of pressure on the last ball.”
Did you know that you are the only 2nd bowler in IPL to defend 4 runs?
I didn’t know that earlier and I wasn’t even thinking. But, when it happened, I came to know at night and people came and told me about it, It felt very good and everyone congratulated me and I made a record at this age and got the win for the team. Personally, I felt good and more than the record it was about making the team win. That was bigger.
What did Samson and Morris tell you before the over?
Everybody came and asked me what is my plan and shared their plan. But, I wasn’t comfortable in a lot of things. My plan was as I didn’t want to take the risk to bowl six yorkers. What I have been taught is that if the things I am working on are getting the result is coming then I won’t change anything. That’s what I went ahead with.”
How was the experience of bowling to the world’s best batsman?
Felt very good bowling to him. Personally, I was very excited for this match (against RCB) because he is the world’s best batsman and I also want to become the best in the world. And there is only one way to become the best, to beat the best in the World. I wanted to bowl to him and get him out. As I said the result cannot always be in our favour but I tried to give my best and felt very good to speak to him.
What was the conversation like with Kohli?
“Like what I can change in my game, I should think, how I can better myself. He told me a lot on this.”
You were in Australia as well as a net bowler, how much has it helped you?
Last time when I went to Australia, I had an injury. Yet I went to Australia because it was a big thing for me to go on this tour because India, England and Australia are big teams and everyone watches these tours. I knew whatever I get to learn here, won’t get it anywhere else. I went there, saw and learnt and the management gave me the opportunity to go on the ground, so, it was very enjoyable and I got to learn a lot.
How does it feel when people like Jasprit Bumrah and Dale Steyn talk about you?
When I came back, my family members told me that Jasprit Bumrah has tweeted about me. I liked it a lot and also retweeted. I would like to share something. When I went to Australia, I had the desire to speak to some of these people including Jasprit Bumrah and Virat Kohli. But, I felt so good that Jasprit bhaiya came and talked to me. I didn’t go to him because I was hesitant. He himself came and started talking and I was very motivated that a player of his stature comes and tells you, teaches you and then tweets about you. When you do well and get that kind of support, it feels good.”
Did you manage to meet him?
I spent the whole series in Australia with him and even in IPL I played against him. So, it’s quite enjoyable.
You were a part of the U-19 team under Rahul Dravid, how was that experience?
It was very good. Like everybody knows about Rahul Dravid, how he backs the players and supports them. I also had an injury and I never thought I could go for the U-19 World Cup. My chances were very bleak but the kind of ‘unbelievable’ support he showed towards me for IPL, during the U-19 World Cup. He kept backing me even during the injury. I wasn’t even playing domestic and he kept backing me.
How important has been Kumar Sangakkara’s role?
When I was playing the last match (against RCB), I had pain. But, he asked me in the morning and supported me. Despite our performances, the way he is backing us and the belief he has, it’s good and (we) get to learn a lot.”
After back-to-back losses, how do you motivate yourself?
It feels bad when you lose. But this is what I have learnt, even when I was with the Indian team. I spoke to them and there is a time when you lose, not every time the result is in your favour. Like in a match I defended 4 and there might be times when I am unable to defend even 10 runs. But, we have to learn on why that is happening, try to improve our game and then the results will come our way.
IPL is the door toward the Indian Team, do you dream of playing for India?
Of course, everyone who is playing in IPL wants to play for India. Like the way you asked me about the performance during the first match. The pressure was on the mind to perform well because if I do well then my chances will be created. I want to do well and learn and play for India one day.
