JOIN USWhen the season began, Karn Sharma was not the first-choice in the Mumbai Indians’ line-up. The leg-spinner had to wait for his chance as Krunal Pandya and Harbhajan Singh were preferred as the two spin bowling options.
Ahead of their eighth game, an injury to Krunal forced Mumbai to play Karn against the Kings XI Punjab and the 29-year-old had a decent game, finishing with 2/39. However, Karn had to warm the benches again in the very next game. Being in and out of the team was the theme of Karn’s campaign.
His big opportunity arrived in Qualifier 1 against Rising Pune Supergiant, when he replaced the out-of-form Harbhajan. Despite an ordinary outing in Mumbai’s 20-run defeat, Karn retained his place in Qualifier 2 against the Kolkata Knight Riders on Friday night and he finally made a big impression.
Karn’s performance of 4-0-16-4, his best IPL figures, powered Mumbai to a six-wicket victory. The Railways’ player said being left out of the team in the initial phase of the league didn’t affect him much.
“It was actually good for me. I was working hard and putting in extra effort when I was not playing, When I get a game, my aim was to help my side win and I am glad I was able to do that,” said Karn at the post-match press conference on Friday.
Up against a clutch of big hitters in the Kolkata team, Karn’s strategy was simple. By bowling straight, Karn cramped the batsmen for runs and he got his reward for his perseverance. The dangerous pinch-hitter Sunil Narine, frustrated with the ploy, came down the track for a big hit but missed it completely to be stumped.
“To players like Narine, it’s important we bowl to the stumps. He is a very good hitter and if you give him any opportunity he will latch on to it,” he said.
Karn’s excellent first spell of 3-0-11-3 was a major blow from which the Knight Riders never recovered.
“T20 cricket is all about momentum. We bowled well in the first six overs and carried the momentum with us,” said Karn.
In the final, Mumbai face Pune, a team they haven’t been able to beat this season.
“We are fully prepared and we will win the match,” he asserted.