Fit-again pacer Tyagi ready for comeback

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Sudeep Tyagi’s international career took off in 2009 with a lot of promise, but the tall medium pacer from Uttar Pradesh faded rather early after making just four ODI appearances for the country.
The 26-year-old, who has been plagued by injuries, is determined to make a comeback into Indian team making full use of the domestic season.
“The last three years have been hard on me. I, however, learnt a lot during this phase. I had a shoulder injury that kept me out of the national reckoning in 2011. Then came another setback in the form of a hairline fracture in my foot and I had to miss the last IPL season with Sunrisers Hyderabad. Now, I’m fit and raring to go. Buchi Babu is a big tournament and I want to make an impact,” Tyagi told this newspaper.
Interacting with bowling greats Waqar Younis and Tom Moody in Sunrisers’ camp, Tyagi said, was an eye-opener. “I learnt how to remain fit for a longer duration from Waqar. They also corrected a flaw in my landing. My toe, at the crease, used to point towards the third-man and it played a part in my foot injury. Now, I have a different bowling action. Buchi Babu tournament will give me an idea how it works,” added Tyagi who was part of Chennai Super Kings squad that won the 2010 IPL.
Tyagi, who is known for his ability to move the ball prodigiously, also learnt a lot rubbing shoulders with South African pacer Dale Steyn.
“He is my role model. He gave me a lot of tips on how to bowl on different wickets. My Uttar Pradesh teammate Praveen Kumar has also helped me a lot. At this juncture of my career, I want to thank my family and friends who have backed me during difficult times,” said Tyagi.
The competition for India cap is getting tougher with a bunch of young pacers waiting in the wings, but Tyagi remains optimistic. “I am sure I will play for another 10 years. So till then I will keep improving and continue to give my best for my state. Winning the Ranji Trophy is one of my goals.”
Meanwhile, another UP pacer Ankit Rajpoot feels like being at home in Chennai. The 19-year-old was a part of Super Kings’ 2013 IPL squad. Ankit said his CSK stint was fruitful though he didn’t get much opportunity in the star-studded team. “Dhoni is admirable as a captain as well as a person. Australian pacer Ben Hilfenhaus taught me a few tricks of fast bowling. When I made my Ranji debut against Karnataka in 2012, I was awe-struck after seeing a few big names in the opponents’ line-up and felt the pressure bowling to them. In IPL, I realised that names do not matter,” he said.