Kartik, who worked with CSK as a net bowler, said that simply getting the opportunity to join the franchise was difficult to comprehend.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cYes, it was a very unreal moment when I got the call that we have seen you, and you should come and join us at CSK. So it was very unreal at first. When I went there\u2026 obviously Dhoni bhai is such a big name. So it was a big deal to share the dressing room with him. It was a big deal for me,\u201d Kartik told IANS in an exclusive interaction on Thursday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The experience went beyond merely being around established stars. Kartik, who is currently a part of Ludhiana Lions in the Sher-e-Punjab league, had the opportunity to bowl in intra-squad matches, and his performances in those games gradually changed how he viewed himself.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThen, when I practised with him. Played matches. There were intra-squad matches. I bowled very well there, and that\u2019s when I started believing that I belong there. My confidence only boosted thereafter; I thought, yes, I can do it.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
One particular intra-squad game remains especially memorable. Kartik claimed four wickets, with Dhoni among his victims.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI remember we had an intra-squad match, and I took four wickets. I also bowled out Dhoni bhai. It was like a normal practice game. Like a match simulation type, but I managed to bowl out Dhoni bhai there.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The significance of the dismissal was not lost on Kartik, even though he was quick to point out that he was also being hit during the contest.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI was getting hit equally, but the joy of bowling Dhoni bhai out was different.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The CSK experience became an important part of Kartik\u2019s development, particularly because it allowed him to test his leg-spin against high-level batters in a competitive environment. His hard work was evident when he dismissed India\u2019s ODI and Test captain Shubman Gill during one of the encounters at the ongoing league in Punjab. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
But the path to that opportunity had not been straightforward. Injuries had repeatedly interrupted his progress, including a fractured finger during last year's Maharaja Ranjit Cup and an ankle injury shortly before the Sher-E-Punjab League.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI had been facing a lot of issues with my fitness for a very long time because there was always some injury or the other. Last year, during the Maharaja Ranjit Cup, I fractured my finger, so it was a very tough time. And 2-3 months ago, my ankle got fractured. I got a ligament tear. I thought that even after doing so well, I was getting injured\u2026 my ankle got fractured before Sher-E-Punjab and after our districts.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The timing of the latest injury made it particularly difficult to accept. \u201cSo it was a very disturbing moment. There was a very good flow this time, but I got injured. So I was down for 1-1.5 months.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI had been facing a lot of issues with my fitness for a very long time because there was always some injury or the other. Last year, during the Maharaja Ranjit Cup, I fractured my finger, so it was a very tough time. And 2-3 months ago, my ankle got fractured. I got a ligament tear. I thought that even after doing so well, I was getting injured\u2026 my ankle got fractured before Sher-E-Punjab and after our districts.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cBut then I did my best to recover from the ankle injury. After that, I had faith in myself that I could do it. But at that time, I felt this was not possible. But then when I came back, I played matches and practised. So that momentum started again. Then I came to Sher-e-Punjab. So I have been backing myself since then.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n