CK Nayudu Trophy: Karthik Kumar promoted to Mumbai U-23 after Vijay Merchant heroics

Mumbai U-23 bowling all-rounder Karthik Kumar

Panvel-based fast bowling all-rounder Karthik Kumar, 16, has been rewarded for his performance in the Mumbai U-16 team's recent Vijay Merchant Trophy triumph by being picked into the Mumbai U-23 side.

Karthik, who bowls at brisk pace, clocking in at 130-plus kmph, made his Mumbai U-23 debut against Odisha in the ongoing CK Nayudu Trophy at the Sachin Tendulkar Gymkhana at Kandivli on Friday.

Karthik is a fine bat too, considering he scored an impressive 610 runs in the Vijay Merchant Trophy, including a double century against Uttar Pradesh and hundreds against Haryana and Manipur. He also claimed 22 scalps in the tournament.

Karthik Kumar (right) receives the Player of the Series award from former BCCI Secretary Niranjan Shah after Mumbai's Vijay Merchant Trophy triumph in Rajkot recently. Pics/By Special Arrangement

"I performed well at the U-16 level, but I didn't expect to get a chance in U-23. They [selectors] called me to bowl in the nets and backed my skills, so it feels good," Karthik told mid-day on Saturday, before adding, "I always wanted to bowl with good pace and seam movement. I enjoy bowling at a speed of 130-plus kmph," Karthik said.

When asked about his experience of playing at the U-23 level, Karthik (1-47), who dismissed Odisha opener Ayush Sutar, revealed that skipper Angkrish Raghuvanshi has given him a lot of confidence.

"It's a good experience to play along with the senior players. The batters are tough at the U-23 level so it's slightly challenging, but I can perform here as well. He [Raghuvanshi] gave me confidence when he told me to bowl just like I was bowling during the practice sessions and not to try anything different," added Karthik, who aims to play for India U-19 and represent Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy.

Mumbai U-16 coach Nilesh Masurkar hailed the selectors' decision to give Karthik a chance at the U-23 level. "Karthik is a very promising fast bowler and bowls with good pace consistently. He's an equally good batter, certainly not a tail-ender, and a good fielder too. He was a key player in our Vijay Merchant triumph. Chief selector Sanjay Patil called him to bowl in Mumbai Ranji team nets and was impressed. It's a good decision to give him a chance in the CK Nayudu Trophy," Masurkar told mid-day.

22
No. of wickets taken by Karthik Kumar during Mumbai U-16's Vijay Merchant Trophy triumph

610
No. of runs scored by Karthik Kumar during Mumbai U-16's Vijay Merchant Trophy triumph