UP again, Kaif & Co enter final

Tyagi, in his maiden Ranji appearance, played a pivotal role in UP’s success this year. Before UP’s first match, the 20-year-old had to his credit just two wickets from as many matches in an under-22 tournament. No one thought he would make it to the Ranji squad. And now, after seven matches with 39 wickets in his kitty, the lanky fast bowler is the second highest wicket-taker, one wicket behind Vinay Kumar of Karnataka.

“One selector asked us to see him. He was impressive at the nets and we picked him up,” said Gyanendra Pandey, UP coach.

And in the first match itself, he justified his inclusion, taking 10 wickets, six in first innings and four in second, against Orissa. And then in the second match against Andhra Pradesh, he took nine wickets to emerge as the unlikely hero of the side. “It was a dream debut,” was Tyagi’s one-liner.

“Yes, we were short of bowlers. So Tyagi was taken in. We needed someone good to fill the place,” said skipper Mohammed Kaif said. And Tyagi made most of the opportunity. “He is a quick learner,” said Kaif.

UP bowling coach Zaidi is also impressed with the bowler. “He is very hard working. We want to groom him into very good bowler. His height ( 6.3”) is his advantage. The match against Bengal was covered live and he touched 139 kmph. He has the potential. His in-swing is also good,” said Zaidi.

In the semi-final against Saurashtra, he and Kumar took eight wickets each, four in each innings, to ensure his side’s smooth sailing into the final for the second time in three years.

... contd.