'I’ve not yet reached where I ultimately want to'- Kumar Kartikeya hungry for more success

Madhya Pradesh left-arm spinner Kumar Kartikeya finally feels a sense of achievement after having played a stellar role in MP's maiden Ranji Trophy triumph last week.

Kartikeya finished as MP's leading wicket-taker in the tournament. In 6 games, the left-arm spinner claimed as many as 32 wickets at an average of 21.

He did not have a great outing in the first innings of the final against Mumbai, as he could manage just 1 wicket in 41 overs. But the young spinner came back brilliantly in the second essay as he ran through Mumbai's middle and lower-order to finish with figures of 4/98.

Having spearheaded his side to the Ranji title, Kartikeya is extremely pleased at ticking one of the many boxes he wants to tick in his pursuit to become a great cricketer, but he is not done yet.

"Yes, whatever I had expected, I've achieved somewhat. I've not yet reached where I ultimately want to, but I've come to a certain stand, where people recognise me now," Kartikeya said as quoted by India Today.

The past few months have been really rewarding for the 24-year-old Kartikeya. Back in February, he earned the coveted IPL contract with the Mumbai Indians and the left-hander vindicated the trust of the franchise by doing his best in whatever opportunities he got.

In 4 games, he claimed 5 wickets at an average of 20.40 and an economy rate of 7.85.

It's a huge deal for someone like Kartikeya, who came to Delhi a few years ago as a daily wage labourer and someone who struggled for proper nutrition during his tough days.

The spinner credits his rise to his coach, stating that never in his life he has met a person, who only wants to give without asking or expecting anything in return.

"From the time I'm playing cricket, whatever I am it's because of him. He took care of my stay, my food, everything. I struggled a lot when I came to Delhi, but when I went to him, I only had to concentrate on playing cricket. He ended the rest of my struggles," Kartik stated.

"The first day I met him, he told me that whatever expenses I had, shoes, clothes, whatever is needed for your cricket, I will provide. I started weeping who does this in Delhi? He said, you just think that I'm like your father. I got very emotional then. Since I had come to Delhi, everyone just wanted to take from me. 

Give me this much, and I'll do this for you. He spoke only about giving. I felt so nice. Even now, where he stands for me, nobody else does. He is everything for me," he concluded.