\u201cI observe how he handles pressure, how he plays freely when the team needs it, and how he shifts gears with ease. I\u2019ve learned a lot just watching him. We talk about the game, and I always try to understand his mindset. After his injury, he came back and won the IPL Trophy with RCB \u2014 that shows his temperament. He\u2019s a player who keeps evolving, and that motivates others around him.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
This theme \u2014 of learning from teammates and giving back to emerging cricketers \u2014 runs throughout Kartikeya\u2019s journey. Having shared dressing rooms with IPL giants like Mumbai Indians and now Rajasthan Royals, he believes it\u2019s his responsibility to share what he\u2019s seen. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI share those things with the youngsters,\u201d he says, referring to raw talent in the Madhya Pradesh Premier League (MPL), says Kumar Kartikeya, who is currently playing for season two of the Madhya Pradesh Premier League featuring Rewa Jaguars.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThey don\u2019t know how to react under pressure in a high-profile league like the IPL. I\u2019ve seen it firsthand \u2014 from playing with big players to learning from top coaches. I tell the raw players in MPL that this is the stage to learn how to perform under pressure. The best thing about MPL is that it gives them exposure. It\u2019s live-streamed, played under lights, and has facilities that are almost like IPL. For young, raw players, it's a great opportunity to play in such an environment. They\u2019re getting used to crowd, lights, and pressure \u2014 and that's a huge plus.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
That learning environment, Kartikeya insists, is what makes the Madhya Pradesh Premier League (MPL) stand out among other domestic leagues.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI\u2019ve seen other franchise leagues, but MPL has really brought out some hidden gems,\u201d he says. \u201cEvery team has at least two players who no one knew about a year ago. The talent is raw but exciting. Last year, 79 players from MPL were picked in the IPL auction. \"We didn\u2019t even know many of these names until they played here. MPL has given them a stage to shine. It\u2019s not just about competition \u2014 it\u2019s about discovery. You suddenly realise that a player from a small town has the skills and mindset to make it big. That\u2019s the beauty of this league.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Kumar Kartikeya, Madhya Pradesh\u2019s versatile left-arm spinner, first entered the IPL scene in 2022 when he was signed by Mumbai Indians as an injury replacement for Arshad Khan. Picked up for INR 20 lakh, he impressed early with five wickets in four matches, showcasing his ability to bowl both left-arm orthodox and wrist spin. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
In the 2023 season, he featured in eight games for MI but managed just five wickets at an average of 45.40, leading to a quieter<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Among those Kartikeya has learned from are some of India\u2019s biggest names. \u201cBoth Sanju and Yashasvi are attacking batsmen who play with a very positive mindset,\u201d he says of Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal, his IPL and domestic teammates. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI often tell young players to take a cue from them \u2014 to play positively but also to assess the game situation. It\u2019s not just about going for shots. There are times when the team needs you to hold back, rotate strike, or just spend time at the crease. I\u2019m not a coach, but as a fellow player, I share what I\u2019ve learned. Players like Sanju and Yashasvi are great examples of balancing intent with responsibility.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Kartikeya has not only evolved in terms of leadership and mindset but also in his bowling craft. He transitioned from left-arm orthodox to incorporating wrist spin to meet the demands of modern T20 cricket. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not that finger spin isn\u2019t effective,\u201d he clarified. \u201cBut in T20s, batters read it better. Wrist spin, on the other hand, goes both ways and creates doubt in the batter\u2019s mind. I\u2019ve personally seen how difficult it is for batsmen to pick wrist spin, especially when it\u2019s used with variations. I still use finger spin, but now I\u2019ve added wrist spin as a variation, and it\u2019s helped me become more effective.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Despite not playing every match in the IPL, Kartikeya remains unfazed and focused on process overpressure. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the franchise\u2019s call whether I get to play or not. My job is to stay prepared. I stick to my gym sessions, practice, and bowling drills \u2014 everything that keeps me ready. I never think this is my last chance. Cricket isn\u2019t over. I\u2019ll get more chances \u2014 and when I do, I want to be in the best possible shape mentally and physically. That\u2019s all I can control.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
His broader views on domestic cricket also reflect a mature understanding of the ecosystem. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a good move,\u201d he says about the restructuring of the Indian domestic calendar. \u201cEarlier, we used to play red-ball (Ranji), then shifted to white-ball formats like T20 and one-dayers in a scattered way. That change in formats would slow the body down and break momentum. Now we are playing a block of red-ball, then white-ball formats \u2014 it helps with rhythm and conditioning. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
His broader views on domestic cricket also reflect a mature understanding of the ecosystem. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Also Read: <\/b> LIVE Cricket Score<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n